FOXES. 
357 
“ Foxes in the East Indies are particularly 
fond of grapes, and, like the jackals, do 
much damage in the vineyards. Authors 
attribute the same taste to the common fox.” 
“ They call some kinds of wild grapes fox- 
grapes,” said Sidney; “but I do not know 
whether it is because foxes eat them.” 
“ Hor I; hut perhaps it may be. The fox 
is the smallest of the canines, except the 
fenner and yuda of Africa. He is low in 
proportion to his length, liaving a sharp and 
long nose and a particular expression of 
intelligence or rather cunning. His neck is 
rather short, his limbs slender, and his tail, 
which is long in proportion to his body, is 
well covered with long hairs, which form a 
round bunch. The tail of a fox is usually 
called his brush. They have a fine thick 
and glossy fur, and, like the wolves, leave a 
strong odour behind them : they burrow in 
the ground, and never willingly come forth 
except at night. But the principal feature 
which distinguishes them from the dog is 
the pupil of the eye, which, when turned 
towards a strong light, contracts vertically, 
like a cat’s, instead of being round like a 
dog’s.” 
i 
