THE CROSS FOX. 
CANIS FULVUS. Var. DECUSSATUS. 
IN a group of animals so intimately connected with 
each other as the Foxes, in which the difference of 
size is but trifling and that of form depends only on 
minute peculiarities, while the colourmg of each varies 
most extensively, though always it would seem through 
a uniform series of gradations, it is next to impossible 
to determine by the mere inspection of their skins the 
precise limits of the species. It is therefore not at all 
surprising that modern zoologists, with M. Geoftroy- 
Saint-Hilaire at their head, should have looked upon 
the Cross Fox of America as a distinct species from the 
Red, from which it differs so remarkably in the colour 
of its fur. But the observation of living specimens of 
both in their native country has induced Dr. Richard- 
son to regard the one as a mere variety of the other ; 
