THE ARCTIC FOX. 
271 
One of the most celebrated species of the Foxes is the Arctic Fox, called by the Russians 
Peszi, and by the Greenlanders Terrienniak. This animal is in very great repute in the 
mercantile world on account of its beautifully silky fur, which in the cold winter months 
becomes perfectly white. During the summer the fur is generally of a gray, or dirty brown, 
but is frequently found of a leaden gray, or of a brown tint with a wash of blue. Towards 
the change of the seasons the fur becomes mottled ; and by reason of this extreme variableness 
has caused the animal to be known by several different titles. Sometimes it is called the 
White Fox, sometimes the Blue Fox, sometimes the Sooty Fox, sometimes the Pied Fox, and 
sometimes the Stone Fox. 
This animal is found in Lapland, Iceland, Siberia, Kamschatka, and North America, in 
all of which places it is eagerly sought by the hunters for the sake of its fur. The pure white 
coat of the winter season is the most valuable, and the bluish -gray fur of the summer months 
is next to the white the color that is most in request. The soles of the feet are thickly covered 
with hair, from which circumstance it has derived its name of Lagopus, or hairy foot. 
It is found that this animal possesses the power of imitating the cries of the birds on which 
it loves to feed, and it is probable that it employs this gift for the purpose of decoying its 
prey to their destruction. Although it is sufficiently cunning in obtaining its food, it seems 
to be remarkably destitute of the astute craft which aids the generality of the Foxes to avoid 
hidden dangers or to baffle their foes. It is easily induced to enter a trap, and will generally 
permit a hunter to approach within range of an easy shot. It is true that, when a human 
being approaches their burro ws, the inmates retire into their homes ; but as they continually 
protrude their heads and yelp at their foe, the precaution is to very little purpose. 
In size, the Arctic Fox is not the equal of the English species, weighing only eignt pounds 
on an average, and its total length being about three feet. The eye is of a hazel tint, and very 
bright and intelligent. It lives in burrows, which it excavates in the earth during the summer 
months, and prefers to construct its simple dwellings in small groups of twenty or thirty. 
The Vulpine, or Fox-like group, is distinguished by having the eye pupil elliptical, and 
a more slender head. Some important anatomical differences are noticed. 
ARCTIC FOX. — Tulpes lagopus. 
