FOXES. 
The subject of the fox is one about which very little 
is generally known except by sportsmen" and what is 
taught in fables, and probably a few remarks regarding 
the canine race may not be without some interest to the 
reader. The finding a fox is considered by many a great 
piece of good luck, but it does not always lead to the 
desired end ; in one case the starting may be apparently 
easy, but in the run a very difficult and dangerous piece 
of ground has to be got over. Old-fashioned notions and 
prejudices are things that have produced many hard 
knocks and heavy falls, nevertheless those who hunt must 
take their chance in the field. 
It is often and firmly asserted that there are strong 
relative connections between the fox and the dog, and the 
question of the so-called “ fox-dog ” is brought forward as 
an instance, gamekeepers especially being very positive 
that a cross can be obtained between those two animals, 
this supposed cross having a stronger hold on the mind of 
many persons than that between the hare and the rabbit. 
Now any one who denies the existence of an animal said 
to be the produce of a fox and a dog runs the risk of being, 
like an unfortunate fox, hunted to death. Yet that risk 
must be incurred. During many years of careful observ- 
ations in regard to the matter, numerous specimens have 
been submitted to the writer’s inspection by most trust- 
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