DOG KIND. 47 



The fox has since the beginning been famous 

 for his cunning and his arts, and he partly merits 

 his reputation.* Without attempting to oppose 

 either the dogs or the shepherds, without attack- 

 ing the flock, or alarming the village, he finds an 

 easier way to subsist, and gains by his address 

 what is denied to his strength or courage. Pa- 

 tient and prudent, he waits the opportunity of 

 depredation, and varies his conduct with every 

 occasion. His whole study is his preservation : 

 although nearly as indefatigable, and actually 

 more swift than the wolf, he does not entirely 

 trust to either, but makes himself an asylum, to 

 which he retires in case of necessity ; where he 

 shelters himself from danger, and brings up his 

 young. 



As among men those who lead a domestic life 

 are more civilized, and more endued with wis- 

 dom, than those who wander from place to place, 

 so, in the inferior ranks of animated nature, the 

 taking possession of a home supposes a degree of 

 instinct which others are without, t The choice 

 of the situation for this domicil, the art of making 

 it convenient, of hiding its entrance, and securing 

 it against more powerful animals, are all so many 

 marks of superior skill and industry. The fox is 

 furnished with both, and turns them to his advan- 

 tage. He generally keeps his kennel at the edge 

 of the wood, and yet within an easy journey of 

 some neighbouring cottage. From thence he 

 listens to the crowing of the cock, and the cack- 



Buffon, Renard. f Ibid. 



