THE RED FOX. 
Canis fulvus. Desm. 
We cannot agree with M. Cuvier in the opinion, found- 
ed, we apprehend, on the examination of skins alone, 
that the Red Fox of America is a mere variety of the 
common European species. The differences in physio- 
gnomy and manners, as well as in general appearance, 
are too striking, in the living animal, to be regarded, as 
the great French zoologist appears disposed to consider 
them, as nothing more than the effects of climate. In 
point of fact the American animal is by no means 
confined to those colder regions to which M. Cuvier's 
observation is expressly limited ; for its range extends 
into the most southern provinces of the United States, 
where its peculiar characters remain unchanged. The 
same opinion appears, however, to have prevailed uni- 
versally among naturalists until the commencement of 
