DOG KIND- 59 



be considered as placed between the dog and the 

 fox. This animal has hitherto been supposed to 

 be only a variety of the latter ; but from the latest 

 observations, there is no doubt of their being per- 

 fectly distinct. The isatis is very common in all 

 the northern countries bordering upon the Icy 

 Sea ; and is seldom found, except in the coldest 

 countries. It extremely resembles the fox in the 

 form of its body and the length of its tail ; and a 

 dog, in the make of its head and the position of 

 its eyes. The hair of these animals is softer than 

 that of a common fox ; some are blue, some are 

 white at one season, and at another of a russet 

 brown. Although the whole of its hair be two 

 inches long, thick, tufted, and glossy, yet the 

 under jaw is entirely without any, and the skin 

 appears bare in that part. 



This animal can bear only the coldest climates, 

 and is chiefly seen along the coasts of the Icy 

 Sea, and upon the banks of the great rivers that 

 discharge themselves therein. It is chiefly fond 

 of living in the open country, and seldom seen 

 in the forest, being mostly found in the moun- 

 tainous and naked regions of Norway, Siberia, 

 and Lapland. It burrows like the fox ; and 

 when with young, the female retires to her ken- 

 nel, in the same manner as the fox is seen to do. 

 These holes, which are very narrow, and ex- 

 tremely deep, have many outlets. They are 

 kept very clean, and are bedded at the bottom 

 with moss, for the animal to be more at its ease. 

 Its manner of coupling, time of gestation, and 

 number of young, are all similar to what is found 



