Clafs I. ] QUADRUPEDS. 
The fmell of this animal in general is very 
ftrong, but that of the urine is moll remark¬ 
ably fetid. This feems fo offenfive even to 
itfelf, that it will take the trouble of digging 
a hole in the ground^ ftretching its body at 
full length over it, and there, after depofiting 
its water, cover it over with the earth, as the 
cat does its dung. The fmell is fo diftaftful, 
that it has often proved the means of the fox's 
efcape from the dogs, who have fo ftrong an 
averlion to the filthy effluvia , as to avoid en- 
countring the animal it came from. It is faid 
that the fox makes ufe of its urine as an ex¬ 
pedient to force the cleanly badger from its 
habitation : whether that is the means is ra¬ 
ther doubtful y but that the fox makes ufe of 
the badger’s hole is certain : not thro’ want of 
ability to form its own retreat $ but to fave 
itfelf forne trouble : for after the expulfion of 
the firft inhabitant, the fox improves, as well 
as enlarges it confiderably, adding feveral 
chambers; and providently making feveral 
entrances to fecure a retreat from every 
quarter. In warm weather it will quit its 
habitation for the fake of balking in the fun, 
or to enjoy the frelh air; but then it rarely is 
expofed, but chufes fome thick brake, and 
generally of gorfe, that it may reft fecure 
from furprize. Crows, magpies, and other 
birds, who confider the fox as their common 
enemy, will often, by their notes of anger, 
point out its retreat. 
This animal is common in all parts of Great - 
Britain , and fo well known as not to require 
a defcription. 
There are three varieties of foxes found in 
the mountanous parts of thefe illands, which 
differ a little in form, but not in color, from 
each other. Thefe are diftinguilhed in JValeSy 
by as many different names. The Milgi or 
greyhoundfox , is the largeft, talleft, and bold- 
eft ; and will attack a grown Iheep or wether : 
the mafliff fox is lefs, but more ftrongly built: 
the Corgi, or cat fox , is the left, and lurks 
about hedges, out-houfes, &c. and is the moft 
pernicious of the three to the feathered tribe. 
Foxes will fometimes breed twice in a year, 
and bring five or fix at a litter: their num¬ 
bers would foon become intolerable, if they 
were not profcribed animals, having a certain 
reward fet on their heads. 
-t 
The wolf was formerly very common in 
theft kingdoms: after many vain attempts to 
extirpate them, king Edgar effe&ed it j in 
England\ by commuting the punilhment for 
certain crimes into the acceptance of a certain 
number of wolfs tongues from each criminal : 
in TV'aleSy by converting the tribute of gold 
and filver into an annual tribute of 300 wolves 
heads.* They infefted Ireland for many ages 
after their extin&ion in England, as there 
are accounts of fome being found there, as 
late as the reign of queen Elizabeth . 
* In antient times, an outlaw was called Wolffhead , as being 
out of the protedlion of the laws ; profcribed, and permitted to be 
killed like that deftrutlive beaft. In Atheljlan’s reign, wolves 
abounded fo in Torkfhire, that a retreat was built at Flixton , in 
that county, to defendpajfengers from the wolves, that they might not 
be devoured by them. Camden. Brit. 902. 
The fame writer alfo tells us, that certain perfons held land, at 
Wormhill in Derbyflrire , by the duty of hunting and taking the 
wolves that infefted that county j whence they were ftiled Wolve- 
hunt. 
GENUS 
h 
H 
