OEDEE OF CAENIVOEA. 387 



towards the hunters, who turn off the Cheetahs when the quarry 

 passes them. 



These facts sufficiently prove that the Cheetah differs essentially 

 in its nature from the other Felinae. It is tamed ahuost as easily 

 as the Dog, knows and loves its master, recognises his voice, and 

 runs to him when called. In its treatment of strangers, it is so 

 docile that it may be allowed perfect liberty. In menageries it is 

 not necessary to confine it. If allowed to ramble about a park 

 it is very submissive to its keeper, and receives with the greatest 

 goodwill the caresses of visitors. 



The menagerie of the Jardin des Plantes, at Paris, has had one 

 for many years, which was brought from Senegal. It had a most 

 excellent temper. One day, among the spectators present, it saw 

 a little negro who had travelled with it in the same ship, it 

 immediately testified the greatest pleasure at finding an old 

 friend. 



Family of Canid^. — The Canina are digitigrade animals, 

 whose claws are neither sharp nor retractile, and consequently 

 cannot serve either for attack or defence. They possess four 

 digits on the hind feet ; on the front they have five. 



Their tongue is smooth, in this respect different from that of 

 Cats. Their tail is long, and more or less clothed with hair. 



They are the most intelligent of the Carnivora. Their senses, 

 particularly that of smell, are strongly developed. They are 

 spread over the entire surface of the globe, from the highest to 

 the lowest latitudes. 



The Canina comprise three genera — Fox, Dog, and Hyena- 

 Dog. 



Genus Fox. — This genus comprises, besides the Common Fox, a 

 certain number of Carnivora which differ but little from each 

 other, and which are distributed over the two continents. They 

 all have a nocturnal pupil, the muzzle extremely tapering, and 

 the tail very full. In general they exhale a disagreeable odour, 

 by which their presence is betrayed. 



We will describe the habits of the Common Fox, as this one is 

 the best known, and has been the most studied. 



The Common Fox is still to be found throughout Europe. 

 From time immemorial it has enjoyed a reputation for cun- 



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