MAMMALIA 



277 



viduals acquiring a love for human flesh are known as man- 

 eaters. To these, several hundred of the natives of India 

 fall victims every year. 



The dogs (Canidce) include the wolves and foxes. The 

 coyote and prairie wolf breed hi the rocky caverns and 

 washouts of the Rocky Mountain region and the great 



FlG. 314. The Weasel (Putorius erminea) in winter. One fourth natural size. 



plains, and make life uncertain for the cattle, sheep, and 

 poultry. A study of structure and habits makes it evident 

 that many of the one hundred and fifty varieties of our 

 domestic dog (Canis familiaris) originated from wolves, 

 wliile it is probable that others are descendants of jackals. 

 The foxes, of which there are four species hi our country, 

 are much valued for their fur. The red fox (Vulpes ful- 

 vous), widely distributed east of the Mississippi, exhibits 



