654 THE DCHi. 



arranged with the foxes, which, indeed, they more nearly 

 resemble. In this group are usually comprehended the Cor- 

 sac, inhabiting the great deserts of Tartary toward the 

 sources of the Irtish, and the same species, or others nearly 

 resembling it, found in the warmer countries of the East, 

 including the little Indian dog of Malabar, the Pale Dog- 

 fox, an inhabitant of Darfur and Kordofan, burrowing in the 

 sand, and hunting only at night, the Turkish Dog-fox, and 

 others. 



The true Foxes inhabit every part of the world, from the 

 Arctic Regions and the gloomy shores of Terra del Fuego, 

 to the most burning regions of either continent. They are 

 distinguished from the wolves and dogs, so called, by then- 

 having the pupil of the eye elongated, so that, by expanding 

 or contracting it, they can admit a greater or smaller quan- 

 tity of light ; by their living apart in deep holes, which they 

 form for themselves ; by their pursuing their prey alone and 

 at night ; and by their never uniting, accordingly, to capture 

 it by the chase. Like most nocturnal burrowing animals, 

 they emit a fetid odour from the skin ; their feet are covered 

 with hair, so that they may steal softly upon their game ; 

 they are clothed with a thick fur, partly of hair, and partly 

 of wool, which grows underneath the hair, and is covered by 

 it. They have the tails long and bushy, and the fur is of 

 various colours, generally tending to black or brown. When 

 fine and woolly, as in the colder countries, it is greatly sought 

 after, and thousands of the animals are killed every year for 

 supplying this production. 



Of the many species of Fox, that which is the most fami- 

 liar to us is the Common Fox, Canis Vulpes, which has a 

 wider range of place than any other. Like all other ani- 

 mals having an extensive range, his characters vary greatly 

 according to climate, locality, and the nature and abundance 

 of his prey. Even within narrow geographical limits, the 

 Common Fox presents himself with considerable differences 

 of external characters. Thus, in the British Islands, sports- 



