The Arctic Fox. 
39 
and uneven parts of the country, preferring the path, 
the most embarrassed by thorns and briars, and running 
in a straight line before the hounds, at no great distance 
from them ; and, when overtaken, he turns on his 
assailants, and fighting with obstinate despair, dies in 
silence. 
THE ARCTIC FOX, (Canis lagopus,) 
Is a smaller species than the common Fox, and has a 
much longer fur to fit him for the severe cold which he 
necessarily experiences in the Polar regions which he 
inhabits. The colour of the fur is frequently a bluish 
leaden gray, from which circumstance it is sometimes 
called the Blue Fox ; some specimens are brownish, 
others nearly black. The fur becomes pure white in the 
winter, and in this state the Arctic Fox is an exceedingly 
pretty animal. This species is captured for the sake of 
its skin, the bluish specimens being preferred. He is 
usually taken in pitfalls or traps, of which he is not 
nearly so suspicious as his sly English relative. The 
flesh of the young is said to be very good. 
