DOG AXD FOX CROSS. [163] 



cross, -which was described by Mr. Tomlin iu " Bell's Life " in the 

 year 1855, and is by an ordinary terrier dog. 



Letter by R. Tomlin, Esq., on the subject of the Dog and Fox 



Cross. 



" Mr. Editor, — As your ' Life ' is the only ' Old Curiosity Shop ' 

 for the reception of ' fancy articles,' I venture to forward you one 

 respecting the fox and dog cross, and, although somewhat out of season, 

 it may, perhaps, prove interesting to the sportsman and the naturalist. 

 In 1853 various accounts appeared in ' BeU's Life in London ' of the fox 

 and dog cross, the fact being established by a gentleman of Kent, who 

 then possessed a vxdpo-canine bitch which had produce by a dog (vide 

 ' Bell's Life,' Dec. 1853 and Feb. 1854). This bitch (half fox, half dog), 

 now in my possession, had produce in the month of February last 

 by a terrier dog. The produce are two dog-whelps and three bitches, 

 some of which were (to ease the dam) suckled by a cur bitch. Two of 

 the litter prove in nature shy as a fox ; three of them dog-like in appear- 

 ance, colour, and perfectly quiet, and follow well at heel. Stdl, they 

 have the real fox-muzzle and ' fox-action,' about which (to those who 

 have well studied it in the hunting-field) there exists but little mistake. 

 Many there are who doubt the existence of any such animal as that 

 between fox and dog. I am, however, in perfect condition to prove (by 

 the living articles themselves) that the fox is merely a separate species of 

 the genus dog, and intercopulates with the bitch, producing not a hybrid 

 or mule animal, but one which will propagate its species to the very end 

 of the chapter. — Yours, &c. 



Robert Tomlin. 

 " Peterborough, June, 1855." 



The following letter, sent by Mr. Tomlin to the above paper 

 in 1857, refers to this particular bitch which formed one of the 

 litter therein mentioned : — 



