FOX. 
191 
three days, unless he finds it necessary to satisfy his 
appetite at the time. Whenever he finds himself 
pursued, he runs to his hole, from whence he is 
either dug out, or driven by the terriers. When he 
is hunted merely for the sake of the sport which he 
affords, his hole is carefully stopped by the hunters 
before the chase begins ; so that the poor animal is 
completely shut out, and has only his speed and 
cunning to depend upon for his safety. He gene- 
rally runs straight forwards before the hounds, and 
as his scent is very strong the dogs follow with great 
eagerness. The chase has been known to continue 
for ten hours together, without any of the party 
having the plea of necessity on his side, except the 
fox : — a sufficient proof that there must be a degree 
of pleasure derived from the amusement, which can 
only be felt by a true fox-hunter. 
From Mr. Pennant we learn that there are three 
varieties found in the mountainous parts of these 
islands, which differ a little in form, but not in 
colour, from each other. They are distinguished 
in Wales by as many different names. The malgi 
or gre-hound fox is bolder and larger than the 
others, and will attack a grown sheep or wether : 
the mastiff fox is less, but more strongly built ; 
and the corgi, or cur fox, which is the least, is the 
sworn enemy of poultry, and lurks about hedges, 
out-houses, &c. The first of these varieties has a 
white tag or tip to the tail : the last a black. 
