420 



QUADRUPEDS. 



colour of tawny grey. This much-dreaded pest of many European countries lives a 

 solitary life, and does not associate with his fellows, unless pressed by hunger, when, 

 becoming reckless and furious, they join together in packs, and commit terrible depre- 

 dations among sheep and cattle. The bite of the wolf is so ferocious, that he is said 

 usually to bring away the flesh upon which he has fastened his jaws ; his natural dis- 

 position, however, is sullen and cowardly, and it is rarely that he ventures to attack 

 his equals in strength. 



The Foxes (Canis inilpes) are distinguishable from dogs and wolves by 

 their tail, which is longer and more bushy, by their muzzle, which is more 

 pointed, and by the pupils of their eyes, which in the day-time form a vertical 

 slit. They diffuse a suffocating stench, dig holes in the earth wherein they 

 reside, and only attack animals much weaker than themselves. 



-=. , 



The Common POX has rendered himself famous for his tricks and cunning. He 

 generally establishes his abode on the edge of a wood in the neighbourhood of some 

 farm. If he gets entrance into the poultry-yard, he slaughters all the fowls, and, load- 

 ing himself with a part of the spoils, hastens to hide his booty at some distance ; he 

 then returns, and carries off another portion, which he disposes of in the same way, 

 taking care, however, to change the place of deposit : this he repeats several times. 

 His gluttony, at times, will accommodate itself to much less dainty food. When pressed 

 by hunger he will eat rats and mice, snakes, toads, and lizards, and even content him- 

 self with vegetables. 



The Civets ( Vivcrra) seem to complete the chain of relationship between 

 the dogs and the cats. Like the last, their tongue is rough, and their claws 

 retracted whilst walking, so that they are always sharp. These animals are 

 provided with a pouch situated under the tail, containing a greasy substance^ 

 that frequently exhales a strong odour. 



The Civet, properly so called ( Viverra Civctta], often erroneously named the 

 Musk-Cat, yields a scent that formerly enjoyed a high reputation. It is a native of 



