FLESH-EATING MAJLVALS. 73 



hairs, while the flanks are yellowish and the under-parts white, tlie brush 

 having no white tip. This species lives in burrows, and takes its name from 

 its extreme speed. Whether it is commonly hunted with hounds I am un- 

 aware. More distinct than eitlier of the above is the long-eared fox (0. 

 macrotis), of California, in which the ears are nearly as large as in the under- 

 mentioned fennecs. Its general colour above is grizzled grey. South 

 America has no true foxes. 



In India the place of the common fox is taken by two small species — the 

 Indian desert-fox (0. levcopns) and the Bengal fox (0. hencjalcnsi^). The 

 former, which is somewhat the larger of the two, agrees with the common 

 species in the white tip to the brush, and also in the dark brown or black out- 

 sides to the ears ; while the latter has a black tip to the brush and greyish 

 ears. The desert-fox, as its name implies, inhabits sandy wastes, and has a 

 considerable turn of speed ; Jerdon stating that it " gives a capital run 

 sometimes, even with English dogs." 



The Bengal fox, which only measures about 20 inches from the tip of 

 the snout to the root of the tail, is found in more or less open country over 

 the greater part of India, and may not unfrequently be seen by residents in 

 Calcutta playing about the Maidan near Fort-William. Jerdon writes that 

 "this fox is much coursed with greyhounds in many parts of India, and with 

 Arab or country dogs, or half-bred English dogs it gives a most excellent 

 course, doubling in a most dexterous manner, and if it is within a short 

 distance of its earth, racing the dogs. Its numerous earths prevent in general 

 much sport being had in hunting it with foxhounds, and its scent is poor." 

 Another small Asiatic species, with a dark tip to the brush, is tlie Corsac fox 

 (fi. corsac), whose habitat extends from the shores of the Caspian through tlie 

 Russian steppes to Mongolia. Tlie skin of this species is an article of con- 

 siderable commercial importance, an average of about 50,000 coming annually 

 into the market. There are several other allied species of foxes inhabiting 

 Asia, such as the Japanese fox (C. japonicus) and the Tibetan fox (0. ferrilatns), 

 but as they are mostly but little known in Europe, it is unnecessary to make 

 further allusion to them on this occasion. Mention must, however, be made 

 of the Arctic fox (G. lagopus), characterised by its short ears, extremely 

 bushy brush, and the long hair clothing the soles of the feet. As a rule, this 

 fox is bluisli-grey in summer (when it is known as tlie blue fox), but changes 

 to pure white in winter ; although in some cases, more especially in Iceland, 

 the dark tint is retained throughout the year. Tliis species is practically 

 circumpolar, and on an average from 25,000 to 60,000 skins annually find 

 their way into the market. The Arctic fox, in order to provide a supply of 

 food for the long and dreary winter of its native habitat, is in the habit of 

 laying up stores of lemmings and other small animals concealed in holes and 

 fissures of the rocks. 



South and Central Africa is the home of an entirely different group of 

 small foxes, known as fennecs (<'. ^erda, C. famelim.s, and C. cnma), and 

 characterised by tlie enormous length of tlieir ears. These fennecs are more 

 or less sandy-coloured animals, with a dark tip to the tail, and differ from 

 the European fox in their social habits, dwelling together in small companies. 

 A skin of an apparently allied species has been obtained from Afghanistan. 



The Cape hunting-dog (Lycaon picUis) is the sole living representative of 

 a genus differing from Canis in having but four toes to each foot. Its skull 

 approximates to that of the wolves, but is somewhat shorter and broader, and 

 there is a slight difference in the form of the teeth. This animal is of large 



