i8 
XA'ITRE XOTES 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 
584 . Foxes. — In his calen'.lar of observations Gilbert White says that 
the “ Fox (Cam's vtilpes) smells rank on February 7.” It is merely a case 
of taking greater pains, more canino, at the commencement of the breeding 
season to cause their existence to be known to each other. The odour of the 
excreta of foxes is very powerful ; and yet the surface of their bodies does not 
give forth, when in a cleanly state of Nature, a stronger odour than many other 
animals. It is probable that the scent of a hunted deer is stronger than that of a 
hunted fox, as far as that actually given out by their feet is concerned. The 
odour of many animals becomes greater, and the organs that produce it are often 
enlarged, during the breeding season. “ At this period the glands on the sides of 
the face of the male elephant emit a secretion having a strong musky odour. . . . 
Besides the general odour permeating the whole body of certain ruminants in 
the breeding season, many deer, antelopes, sheep, and goats possess odoriferous 
glands in various situations, more especially in their faces, . . . and there 
can be no doubt that they stand in close relation to the reproductive functions.” 
(“ Descent of Man.”) Darwin does not include foxes, or animals closely allied to 
them, amongst those with increased odour at certain seasons. 
If the bodies of predatory animals, which live by stealth and cunning, gave 
forth a strong odour, their presence would be betrayed, and the difficulty of 
obtaining food increased. 
White’s remark, however, leads to the supposition that the bodies of foxes 
give forth a strong odour, and that at certain times of the year their bodies 
“smell rank” in a degree they do not at other times. In talking over this 
matter with an old Master of Foxhounds, whose opinion I value, he thought that 
the scent of the fox was equally strong at all seasons, and that if it were more so 
at the time of year that White suggests, a hunted fox would stand little or no 
chance of escaping from its pursuers. In short, it amounts to this : a fox is not 
more likely, from the scent that he emits, to be caught by hounds in February 
than in December. 
Ed.mund Thos. Daueeny. 
585 . Edible Fungi. — In the autumn I pointed out to a friend some Fairy 
Ring Champignons (Agaricus oreades), and explained to him their characteristics, 
which are easy to learn and not make mistakes about. I picked a quantity and 
asked him to take them to his cook and give them a trial. He ventured and 
found them excellent. After this he bought a book on fungi, and has eaten 
many kinds. When dining with him, I found Boletus edulis, served up on toast, 
a dainty dish. A. deliciosus, A. procerus, Blewitts (A. persona/us), Coprimes 
lomatus, and several others have been on his table. Coprinus comatus, which 
deliquesces into ink when old, was pronounced to be the best and most toothsome 
of them all. It requires very little discrimination to become acquainted with the 
above-named, and those who will take the trouble to learn can easily provide 
themselves with many a delicious dish from what the public in general look upon 
as poisonous toadstools. 
South-acre, Swaffham. Edmund Tho.s. Daubeny. 
ASTRONOMICAL NOTES FOR JANUARY, 1908 . 
I’euus is a brilliant evening star, setting on the ist at 6. it p.m. and on the 
31st at 7.45 p.m. Near the moon on the 5th, and an interesting picture will 
be presented if the weather is clear. 
Mars is also an evening star, setting at about 10.45 P-ni- during the month. 
Will be in same region as the moon on the evening of the Sth. On about 
the 20th a line drawn from Alpha Andromedre to Gamma Pegasi will cut 
through Mars. 
Jupiter will be a splendid object, rising on the ist at 6.38 p.m. and on 
the 3 1st at 4.24 p.m. His position is a few degrees east of the cluster of stars 
in Cancer. Near moon on the 19th and in opposition to the sun on the 29th. 
