CANiDiE. MAMMALIA. Canids. 
105 
bushy, of a yellowish-grey colour, gradually tapering 
towards the extremity, where it is black. 
THE AECTIC FOX ( Vulpes lagopus) is as commonly 
known by the designation of Blue fox, on account of 
its peculiar deep asliy, leaden, or bluish-coloured hair. 
The fur varies much in appearance at different periods 
of the year, and according to the place of abode; being- 
very commonly of a brownish-grey colour in some dis- 
tricts, and in others sooty or almost black. In the 
winter the fur usually becomes pure white or whitish- 
yellow; but this is not invariably the case, as the sooty 
variety is said scarcely to alter its colour in any respect ; 
its texture is woolly, the individual hairs being com- 
paratively long. The Arctic fox is considerably less 
than our European species, the tail being well developed 
and very bushy towards the tip. The ears are short 
and rounded, having a cropped appearance owing to a 
peculiar arrangement of the hairs ; the latter aie par- 
ticularly thick and long at the posterior part of the 
cheeks. According to Captain Lyon, “ the Arctic fox 
is an extremely cleanly animal, being very careful not 
to dirty those places in which he eats or sleeps. No 
unpleasant smell is to be perceived, even in a male, 
which is a remarkable circumstance. To come una- 
wares on one of these creatures is, in my opinion 
impossible; for even when in an apparently sound 
sleep, they open their eyes at the slightest noise which 
is made near them, although they pay no attention to 
sounds when at a short distance. The general time of 
rest is during the daylight, in which they appear listless 
and inactive ; but the night no sooner sets in than all 
their faculties are awakened; they commence their 
gambols, and continue in unceasing and rapid motion 
until the morning. While hunting for food they are 
mute ; but when in captivity or irritated, they utter a 
short growl like that of a young puppy. It is a singu- 
lar fact that their bark is so modulated, as to give an 
idea that the animal is at a distance, although at the 
very moment he lies at your feet.” The same gentle- 
man observes, that when talren they at first display 
great anger, but after a few hours’ confinement they 
gradually cool down to a state of easy quietude ; 
instances also occur where they have become quite 
tame. The Arctic fox displays far less cunning than 
our European species, and is not so suspicious of traps. 
The female produces from three to five young at a birth. 
This animal is an inhabitant of the sub-polar regions of 
either division of the Northern hemisphere, being found 
in North America, Lapland, Iceland, Siberia, and Kamt- 
schatka. We have also been informed by a Russian 
gentleman from the neighbourhood of Archangel, that 
the sport of hunting blue foxes is particularly excellent 
in the large isles of Nova Zembla. Ordinarily, Arctic 
foxes are captured by an elevated pit-fall, the pit con- 
sisting of an elevated hut built up with stones, and 
arched over, leaving only an aperture at the summit, 
over which blades of whalebone are fixed in such a 
manner as to insure the certain precipitation of the fox 
into the interior, should the bait, also placed at the 
upper part, successfully allure him on to the top of the 
roof. In the young state, the flesh of the Arctic fox 
is stated to be excellent eating. The fur is employed 
as an article of commerce, the bluish or lead-coloured 
VoL. I. 14 
variety being most esteemed. In the peculiar dialect 
of the American Cree Indians, this animal rejoices in 
the unutterably euphonious name of Wappeelceeshew- 
malekeeshew ! 
THE INDIAN FOX {Vulpes Bengalensis ). — This is 
a small and elegant species, having a brownish fm-, 
which is much darker along the middle line of the 
back, forming a longitudinal sooty-coloured band ; the 
tail is also tipped with black, and the species is further 
distinguished by the presence of circular patches of 
white round the ejms. According to the experienced 
testimony of Captain Williamson, these foxes are 
extremely numerous in India. In general their earths 
are placed on rising grounds, to prevent their being 
inundated. The holes are “ remarkably small, and 
may be opened in an hour by any common labourer. 
The foxes are very cunning, at least as much so as 
their brethren in Europe. I have several times known 
them, when pushed hard by greyhounds, to conceal 
themselves in rice fields, or among bulrushes, &c., 
with only their noses peeping out of the water. On 
such occasions, unless there be some questing dog at 
hand, Reynard will often escape unnoticed. Both 
jackals and foxes sham death to admiration. After 
having been almost pulled to pieces by dogs, and left 
to all appearance lifeless, they sometimes gradually 
cock their ears, then look askance at the retiring 
enemy, and, when they think themselves unobserved, 
steal under a bank, &c., and thus skulk along till they 
find themselves safe, when, setting off at a trot or 
canter, they make the best of their way to some place 
of security.” The Indian fox feeds principally on 
small birds and quadrupeds, especially rats, mice, and 
such like vermin; he is likewise partial to fowls, 
poultry, and game, but to secure them he rarely 
ventures within the walls of any village or town. 
THE JACKAL {Canis aureus)— 8, fig. 27— 
differs from the fox, in presenting a more dog-like 
appearance. The fur exhibits a ruddy yellowish-grey 
colour generally, being darker on the back, where it is 
almost black. The throat and under parts of the belly 
are much lighter. The ocular pupils are rounded, as 
in dogs. The common Jackal is widely distributed 
throughout eastern countries, being found in abundance 
in Hindoostan, Persia, Tartary, the Caucasus, Dalmatia, 
the Morea, Palestine, Egypt, and North Africa, as far 
as the coast of Guinea. In respect of size it is inter- 
mediate between the fox and the wolf. Its habits are 
gregarious; it hunts at night in packs, and, from its 
piercing yells and destructive habits, is everywhere 
regarded with horror. The united cry of a pack pro- 
duces a most unearthly sound, which has been compared 
to the distant rolling of thunder. Captain Williamson 
records many facts which clearly prove that jackals 
will combine to defend or rescue one of their number. 
Among these he mentions the following incidents : — 
“ Mr. Kinloch, who was well known as an excellent 
sportsman, and who, when at Midnapore, kept a famous 
pack of hounds, having one morning chased a jackal, 
which entered a thick jungle, found himself under the 
necessity of calling off his dogs, in consequence of an 
immense herd of jackals which had suddenly collected 
on hearing the cries of their brother, which the hounds 
