AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
27 
Besides the chase, various means are resorted to, for the 
purpose of destroying these mischievous animals, which, 
though sometimes successful, often fail, from their extreme 
cunning, which enables them to avoid the best concerted 
schemes for their capture. Even when taken in a steel 
trap, it is said that they will sacrifice a limb to escape — 
“by the indented steel 
With gripe tenacious held, the felon grieves, 
And struggles, but in vain, yet oft 'tis known. 
When ev’ry art has fail’d, the captive Fox 
Has shar’d the wounded joint, and with a limb 
Compounded for his life.” — Somerville. Chase. 
The fur is valuable and much sought for, particularly 
that of the black or silver Fox, which sells for six times 
the price of any other, that is produced in North America. 
La Hontan speaks of a black Fox skin as being* in his time, 
worth its weight in gold. 
The different species of Fox are involved in much con- 
fusion. There are few animals of which travellers have 
spoken more, and yet there are scarcely any whose history 
has been treated of with less precision and method. As 
far as our researches have extended, the following appear 
to be the well determined species and varieties. As re- 
gards those of North America, we have followed Dr. Rich- 
ardson, who has paid particular attention to them, and 
whose acuteness and industry, deserves the thanks of 
every naturalist. 
1. Canis (Vulpes) Vulgaris. Common Fox. 
Var. a. V. alopex. Brant Fox. 
b. V. crucigera. European cross Fox. 
2. V. lagopus. Arctic Fox. 
Var. a. V. fuliginosus. Sooty Fox. 
3. V. fulvus. Red Fox. 
Var. a. V. decussatus. American cross Fox. 
b. V. argentatus. Black, or silver Fox. 
4. V. Virginianus. Gray Fox. 
5. V. cinereo-argentatus. Swift Fox. 
6. V. corsac. Corsac Fox. 
Var. a. V. Karagan. Desert Fox. 
7. V. Niloticus. Egyptian Fox. 
There are a variety of other nominal species which we 
have omitted, not being able to satisfy ourselves respecting 
them. It is astonishing how little care is taken by travel- 
lers, to ascertain the proper names of the animals they 
describe in their journals, even when the means of infor- 
mation is within their reach. The history of the various 
species of the animal kingdom can only be the result of a 
long series of observations, which it is utterly impossible 
for a single individual to make. Hence, if travellers 
describe the same animal under different names, it loads 
science with a host of unnecessary species, and retards in- 
stead of advancing the progress of inquiry. 
The red Fox is an inhabitant of most parts of our conti- 
nent, but appears to occur in the greatest numbers to the 
north; they are so abundant in what are termed the fur 
countries, that Dr. Richardson says, that about eight thou- 
sand are annually imported into England from thence. 
They are, however, by far too numerous in the United 
States, giving manifest proofs of their presence in their 
depredations on the poultry yards. 
The general colour of this species in its summer coat, is 
“ bright ferruginous on the back, head, and sides, less bril- 
liant towards the tail; under the chin white; the throat 
and neck a dark gray; and this colour is continued along 
the first part of the belly in a stripe of less width than on 
the breast; the under parts, towards the tail, are very pale 
red; the fronts of the fore legs and feet are black, (or dark 
brown,) and the fronts of the lower parts of the hind legs 
are also black; the tail is very bushy, but less ferruginous 
than the body, the hairs mostly terminated with black, and 
more so towards the extremity than near the root, giving 
the whole a dark appearance; a few of the hairs at the end 
are lighter, but it is not tipped with white.” — Sabine. 
The colour of the tip, however, differs much; in some 
specimens, the white being very distinct, whilst in others 
this tint is scarcely discernible. This summer coat is long, 
fine, and brilliant, as winter approaches it gradually be- 
comes longer and denser, even the soles of the feet being 
completely covered with fur, which wears off in the sum- 
mer, leaving naked callous spots. 
It bears a strong resemblance to the common Fox of 
Europe, and was considered identical with that species 
until De Beauvois pointed out its differences. These, as 
stated by Dr. Richardson, are, that the American species 
has longer and finer fur, and is more brilliant in its colours. 
Its cheeks are rounder, its nose thicker, shorter, and more 
truncated. Its eyes are nearer to each other. Its ears are 
shorter, the hair on its legs is longer, and the feet more 
covered with fur, its tail is also fuller and finer. The 
colour of the breast is more inclined to a gray, and that of 
the anterior part of the legs of a darker brown, being 
nearly black. Desmarest likewise mentions, that there is a 
difference in the form of the skulls of the two species. 
As there still exists no slight difference of opinion, as to 
whether this animal is a native; many persons considering 
that it is merely the European species which has become 
naturalized, whilst others appear to think that there are 
two distinct varieties, closely resembling each other, the 
one native and the other introduced; we will examine the 
grounds of the various hypotheses, before entering on a 
description of the habits and manners of the subject of our 
sketch. In doing this, we have thought it would be satis- 
factory to our readers, to cite the various authorities we 
have had occasion to consult on each side of the question. 
