160 NATURAL HISTORY. 



on a large lump being given to them, they break it in pieces with their feet, and roll on it with great 

 delight. When the snow was slightly scattered on the decks, they did not lick it up, as Dogs are 

 accustomed to do, but by repeatedly pressing with their nose collected small lumps at its extremity, 

 and then drew it into the mouth with the assistance of the tongue." In another passage, Captain 

 Lyon, alluding to the above-mentioned Dog-Fox, says, " He was small and not perfectly white ; but his 

 tameness was so remarkable, that I could not afford to kill him, but confined him on deck in a small 

 hutch with a scope of chain. The little animal astonished us very much by his extraordinary 

 sagacity : for, during the first day, finding himself much tormented by being drawn out repeatedly by 

 his chain, he at length, whenever he retreated to his hut, took this carefully up in his mouth, and 

 drew it so completely after him that no one who valued his fingers would endeavoiir to take hold 

 of the end attached to the staple." 



The Eskimo take the Arctic Foxes in traps, which are described by Captain Parry as being 

 " extremely simple and ingenious. They consist of a small circular arched hut, built of stones, having 

 a square aperture at the top, but quite close and secure in every other part. This aperture is closed by 

 some blades of whalebone, which, though in reality only fixed to the stones at one end, appear to form 

 a secure footing, especially when the deception is assisted by a little snow laid on them. The bait is 

 so placed that the animal must come upon this platform to get at it, when the latter, unable to bear 

 the weight, bends downwards, and after precipitating the Fox into the trap, which is made too deep to 

 allow of his escape, returns by its elasticity to its former position, so that several may then be caught 

 successively." They are also taken in the wolf-traps of ice; and all the rocky islands lying off the 

 mouth of the Coppermine River are studded with square traps, buil* of stone, by the Eskimo, wherein 

 the Fox is killed by a flat stone falling upon him when he pulls at the bait. 



The skins of both the white and the blue Fox are important articles of commerce, but the blue 

 variety, being much rarer than the white, is far more valuable, the price for it being six or seven 

 times as much as that of the white. 



THE FENNEC.* 



This is a pretty little Fox-like animal, about ten inches long, not including the tail, which 

 measures about five inches and a quarter. The fur is of a whitish hue, the cheeks large, and the 

 snout sharp, just like those of a true Fox; but the ears distinguish it at once: they are quite erect, and 

 nearly three inches and a half long, that is, considerably longer than the whole head. 



The Fennec is found in the whole of Africa, and has also been described as occui-ring at 

 Bushire, on the shores of the Persian Gulf. It was first noticed by the African traveller, Bruce, who 

 kept a specimen as a pet. The favourite food of this animal " consisted of dates or any sweet fruit ; but 

 he was also very fond of eggs. He would eat bread when hungry, more especially if it was ren- 

 dered palatable by honey or sugar. The sight of a bird aroused him to eager watchfulness as long as 

 it was present ; and a Cat was his aversion. He would endeavour to hide from the latter, but never 

 showed a disposition to resist or defend himself. The animal was disposed to sleep by day, but as 

 night came on he became restless to excess. Bruce never heard it utter any sound. He says that the 

 animal is described in many Arabian books under the name of El Fennec, by which appellation he 

 states that it is known all over Africa ; and he conceives that the word is derived from the Greek 

 Phoinix, a palm or date-tree, adding that the animal builds his nest on trees, and does not burrow in 

 the earth." 



The fondness of the Fennec for vegetable food is curious, as most of the wild Canidce have so 

 marked a preference for animal food. Bruce's statement quite bears out the main fact in the old 

 fable of " The Fox and the Grapes," as well as that in the " Song of Songs " " Take us the Foxes, 

 the little Foxes, that spoil the vines : for our vines have tender grapes." 



On the shores of the Persian Gulf, the Fennec is sometimes hunted with Dogs, and will often take 

 to the sea to escape from its enemies. Fennec-hunting is likely to be good sport, as the long-eared 

 little creature is extremely plucky and enduring. In Africa, according to Sir John Kirk, " these 

 animals hunt in packs. Although inferior in speed to the Antelope, they will run him down, and at 

 last wear him out ; even the Buffalo they are said sometimes to kill." 



* Canis zerda. 



