A SKETCH 



OF THE 



ZOOLOGY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 



QUADRUPEDS. 



ORDER I. PRIMATES. 



VESPERTILIO MURINUS The Common Bat: Teeth sharp point- 

 ed, length 2 inches : fly like birds. 



ORDER III. FERjE. 



CANIS FAMILIARIS The Dog : Bends his tail to the left. Va- 

 rieties many, as mastiff, hound, greyhound, pointer, spaniel, terrier, 

 shock, lap-dog, cur, &c. 



2. VULPES The Fox : Tail a brush, tipped with white, legs 

 white, fore-feet black. 



FELIS CATUS The Cat: Domesticated, tail long, annulated, 

 body marked with spiral and three longitudinal stripes. Our tame 

 cats are less in size, and vary in colour : the tortoise-shell most 

 esteemed. 



MUSTELA LUTRA The Otter: Colour dark brown, with two white 

 spots on each side the nose, length three feet three inches, tail com- 

 pressed and taper, eyes small, ears short, long whiskers, feet 

 webbed. The otter is found in the Trent, and smaller rivers com- 

 municating with it, and affords much diversion in hunting; no 

 animal defends itself with greater obstinacy, and will make a des- 

 perate resistance to the hounds, who are frequently maimed in the 

 , conflict. In rivers where weirs are set, otters will force their way 

 in, and devour the fish, and then effect their passage out by biting 

 asunder" the twigs. Dr. Plot says, " at Ingestre I ate potted otter, 

 so well ordered by the cook, that it required a very nice palate 

 to distinguish it from venison." 



2. PUTORIUS TheFitchetor Polecat: Length about two feet, 



