76 
competent authorities, that from the year 1870 to 1875 
they were killed at the rate of two and one-half million a 
year. 
The due result of this prodigious and unchecked slaughter 
has already been reached, as it is now possible to say that the 
bison no longer exists within the United States outside of 
preserves, such as the Yellowstone National Park and pri¬ 
vate enclosures. A small herd is said to range far up in 
British America in the region of the Peace river. 
No. 17.—THE FOX AND WOLF PENS. 
The Red Fox ( Cams vulpes pennsylvaniens) ranges in large 
numbers from the Carolinas northward into Canada, and 
from the Atlantic coast to the west. It is subject to much 
variation—the Cross Fox, a beautiful animal marked with 
two black stripes crossing each other on the shoulders, and the 
Silver Fox, found sparingly in the northwestern States— 
both being well-marked varieties. The latter is known by the 
beautiful and expensive furs which it supplies. 
The Gray Fox (C. cinereo-argentaius ) has a complete range 
throughout the United States, increasing in numbers to¬ 
wards the south, where it gradually replaces the red fox, 
which it much resembles in mode of life. This species alone, 
among the dog tribe, has the habit of climbing trees when 
closely pursued. 
With the single exception of the little Coast Fox ( C . 
littoralis ), from lower California and Central America, the 
Kit or Swift Fox (C. velox ) is the smallest of American 
foxes, and is confined to the plains of the west. 
The Arctic Fox (C. lagopus ) is common to the polar 
regions of the north, in both hemispheres. Like many species 
which inhabit countries where the ground is covered with snow 
for a large part of the year, the fur of the arctic fox changes 
from a lead-blue color to white at the approach of winter. 
This provision of nature causes it to be less conspicuous 
against the snow and ice which surround it, and greatly aids 
it in pursuing its prey. 
The Great Gray or Timber Wolf, called Lobo by the 
Mexicans ( Canis lupus mexicanus'), is the largest of American 
