MAMMALIA. 349 
bushy. The paws are large and heavy, the.soles densely 
haired, and furnished with six small, naked pads. They 
feed upon small animals, and the young, generally from 
two to four, appear in May. They are to some extent ar- 
boreal in their habits. The grisow (Galc#s) of northern 
and central South America is a fierce member of the group. 
VALUE.—Fur and hide of all are waluable.. 
Fic. 371.—A group of valuable fur-bearers. 1, Arctic fox; 2, silver fox; 3, 
sable ; 4, otter; 5, mink; 6, ermine. 
Dog (Canide).—This family comprises the dogs, 
wolves, and foxes, and has a wide geographical range. 
Nearly all possess the mechanism for retraction of the 
claws, but the action is not sufficient to protect them from 
wear; thus they are modified for purposes of digging. The 
American red fox (Vulpes) has a slender, pointed muzzle, 
and is of a reddish-yellow hue. It preys upon domestic 
fowls and small game of all kinds. The young are reared 
in burrows in the ground. The Arctic fox (Fig. 371) is 
white in the winter and brown in summer. They live in 
