392 
MAMMALIA. 
the proprietor ; in the second, it pollutes with its urine the den, 
and in this way drives out the legitimate owner. 
Its dwelling it divides into three parts : the first is the place 
from whence it examines the neighbourhood before coming out, 
and from where it watches for a favourable moment to escape its 
persecutors, when a fatiguing pursuit has driven it to seek an 
asylum in its retreat. Then comes the store-room, a place with 
several outlets, where the provisions are stored away. Lastly, ! 
behind the store-room, quite at the bottom of the burrow, is the 
den, the sleeping chamber and real habitation of the animal. 
There it brings forth and suckles its young, and there the female 
takes refuge in great emergencies. The Fox seldom regularly 
inhabits its burrow, except when rearing young. After that 
period it generally sleeps in a cover, near a spot where it thinks 
plunder is to be had, sometimes at a distance of two or three 
leagues from its earth. 
In the Fox maternal instinct is highly developed. It watches 
its cubs with solicitude, provides for their wants, and courageously 
defends them against their enemies. A litter is composed of from 
three to five young, which are horn about the month of April. 
The male and female live together until their progeny is reared ; 
after which they separate. The duration of a Fox’s existence is 
from thirteen to fourteen years. 
The serious depredations committed by this animal have caused 
it to he classed among the most obnoxious, and for this reason, 
in nearly all countries, Man adopts every means to accomplish its 
destruction. 
The wealthier classes of the English people are devoted to Fox- 
hunting, and expend large sums to support kennels of Fox- 
Hounds. This example has not gained much popularity in 
France. 
To enjoy successfully this sport, care must he taken the evening 
preceding the chase to close up all burrows in the neighbourhood, 
and thus cut the animal off from taking refuge in them, which 
it is sure to attempt when it finds itself hard pressed. This pre- 
caution taken, Master Reynard is almost certainly doomed, for he 
leaves after him so powerful a scent that the hounds with facility 
follow his track. So full of devices to destroy the life of others, 
he scarcely manifests any to save his own, but confines himself 
