CLASS I. MAMMALIA: 0>RDER 5. CARNIVORA. 
245 
Its fur is among tlie most valuable, being prized in aU civilized countries, and especially in Russia 
and China ; a single skin will often sell for fifty or seventy-five dollars. This species displays the 
general characteristics of the common fox. 
The Jackal Fox, V. IftGcfi, as larger than the common fox, the fur very long and fine, color 
grayish brown, and the tail irregularly banded with dark brown and dull white. The hues, 
however, vary in diflerent specimens. This animal was first noticed by Lewis and Clarke ; it is 
found in the Rocky Mountains, in Utah, in Oregon, and the northern regions traversed by the 
British fur-traders, — it being nowhere common. The aspect and appearance of this animal are 
peculiar, and probably it will prove to be a distinct species. 
The Arctic Fox, or Isatis, V, lagopus, is found in both hemispheres, within the Arctic 
circle, and is generally white or gray. One variety, called Sooty Fox, or Blue Fox, and erroneously 
supposed to be a distinct species, has been denominated V.fuliginosus. These creatures are grega- 
rious, and in some sandy places tlieir burrows are so numerous as to be called villages. They have 
not the rank smell of other foxes, and are exceedingly clean in their habits, never soiling their 
dwellings. They have not the cunning and caution of the red fox, and are easily taken in traps. 
Their fnr is httle valued, but their flesh is much esteemed They are numerous from Hudson's 
Bay to Behriug's Straits, The young ones migrate southward late in the autumn, but retire 
early in the spring to their haunts along the borders of the Arctic Sea. Tlio V. Azarca, V. Magel- 
lanicus^ and V. Corsac, are South American varieties or species, very little known. 
THE FENNEC. THE OTOCTOS. 
Genus FENNEC : Fennec.—Oi this we know but a single species, the Canis Gercla, or Fox 
Fennec, which lives along the borders of the Barbary States, in the Desert of Sahara, and in 
Central Africa. It is about seven inches long ; has long cars, and an exquisite sense of hearing. 
It is of a pale dove-color, and feeds on the small game of the desert. 
Genus OTOCYON : Otocyojz.— Of this there is "but one species, the Otocyon megalofAs, found in 
the country of the Hottentots : it seems to combine something of the fox and the civet. Its 
fur is thick, the tail rather short but bushy, the legs long, the color grayish brown varied with 
fawn. The length is fifteen inches. Its habits are little known. 
