MAMMALIA—FOX. 15] 
The fox is so voracious, that, when deficient of better food, he devours 
rats, mice, lizards, toads, and serpents. Insects and shell-fish he is like- 
wise sometimes known to eat. In vain does ine hedgehog roll itself up 
into a ball to oppose him: this determined glutton teases it till it is obliged 
to appear uncovered, and then devours it. The wasp and the wild bee are 
attacked by him with equal success. Though at first they fly out upon 
their invader, and actually oblige him to retire, yet this repulse is but for a 
few minutes, till he has rolled himself upon the ground, and thus crushed 
such as may have stuck to his skin: he then returns to the charge, and at 
length, by dint of perseverance, obliges them to abandon their combs, which 
he greedily devours, both wax and honey. 
The young foxes are born blind, like dogs; like them, too, they are 
eighteen months or two years in coming to perfection, and live about 
thirteen or fourteen years. They are nursed with great affection by the 
mother, who has been known to run with them in her mouth several miles 
when hunted. The senses of the fox are as good as those of the wolf; his 
scent 1s more acute, and the organ of his voice is more supple and more 
perfect. The wolf is never heard but by dreadful howls, while the fox only 
yelps, barks, and sends forth a mournful sound, resembling the cry of the 
peacock. His tones, too, are different, according to the different sentiments 
with which he is affected. He has one sound expressive of desire, another 
of murmur, another of sorrow, and another of pain: the latter is never 
heard from him, unless in the instant that he is wounded by shot, and has 
lost the use of some member ; for, like’ the wolf, when attacked with cudgels 
alone, he never murmurs, but will defend himself with obstinacy, and fight 
in silence to the last gasp. He bites dangerously, and with such deter- 
mined fury, that, in order to make him relinguish his hold, ponderous 
wooden and even iron bars are necessary to be forced between his jaws. 
The flesh of the fox is not so bad as the flesh of the wolf. Dogs, and 
even men, eat it in autumn, especially if the animal has fed on grapes; 
and, in winter, good furs are made of his skin. He sleeps so sound, that, 
however closely approached, there is no great danger of awaking him. 
When he only means to rest himself, he stretches out his hind legs, and 
remains flat on his belly. In this posture he watches for the birds as they 
perch on the hedges; who no sooner perceive him, than they give each other 
warning of their approaching danger. The jackdaw and the magpie, m 
particular, often follow him along to the distance of some hundred paces, 
still towering beyond his reach, and, with their cries and notes of hostility, 
apprise other animals to beware. 
Of all wild animals, the fox 1s most subjected to the influence of climate, 
and there are found nearly as many varieties in this species, as in that of 
any domestic animal. The generality of foxes in Europe are red ; of some, 
however, the hair is of a grayish cast; and, of all, the tip of the tail is white 
In the northern countries foxes of all colors are found. 
