44 



GENUS VULPES.— Cuv. 



DENTAL FORMULA. 



Incisive ^ ; Canine j^ ; Molar ^^ = 42. 



Muzzle pointed ; pupils of the eyes forming a vertical fissur^ ; upper 

 incisors less curved than in the genus Canis. Tail, long, bushy, and ey" 

 lindrical. 



Animals of this genus, generally are smaller, and the number of spe- 

 cies known, greater, than among the wolves ; they diffuse a fcetid odour, 

 dig burrows, and attack none but the weaker quadrupeds, or birds, &c. 



The characters of this genus, differ so slightly from those of the genus 

 Canis, that we were induced to pause before removing it from the sub- 

 genus in which it had so long remained. As a general rule, we are 

 obliged to admit that a large fox is a wolf, and a small wolf may be 

 termed a fox. .So inconveniently large, however, is the list of species in 

 the old genus Canis, that it is, we think, advisable to separate into dis- 

 tinct groups, such species as possess any characters different from the 

 true Wolves. 



Foxes, although occasionally seen abroad during the day, are nocturnal 

 in their habits, and their character is marked by timidity, suspicion and 

 cunning. Nearly the whole day is passed by the Fox in concealment, 

 either in his burrow under ground, in the fissures of the rocks, or in the 

 middle of some large fallen-tree-top, or thick pile of brush- wood, where 

 he is well hidden from any passing enemy. 



During the obscurity of late twilight, or in the darkness of night, he 

 sallies forth in search of food ; the acuteness of his organs of sight, of 

 smell, and of hearing, enabling him in the most mui-ky atmosphere, to 

 trace and follow the footsteps of small quadrupeds or birds, and pounce 

 upon the hare seated in her form, or the partridge, grouse, or turkey on 

 their nests. 



Various species of squirrels, field-rats, and moles, afford him a rich re- 

 past. He often causes great devastation in the poultry yard ; seizes on 

 the goose whilst grazing along the banks of the stream, or carries off the 

 lamb from the side of its mother. 



The cautious and wary character of the Fox, renders it exceedingly 



