THE FOX. 59

tribe of Benjamin engaged with the other tribes, and in
which it was almost exterminated. The prophet Habakkuk
makes use of the expression, “ more fierce than the evening
wolves ;” and in Zephaniah a similar text may be found ;
showing that the savage character of this animal was well
known to the ancient writers, and that it must have been
pretty common in Palestine at the time they wrote: at the
present time but few of the wilder animals are found in
that country.

Canis Voupgs (or Vulpes vulgaris).—The Fox.

This animal, as well as the wolf, is now considered as be-
longing to the extensive genus Canis, dog, from which the
fox differs but little in organization ; the formation of the
teeth is very similar, the feet and toes are also alike. The
distinguishing characteristics seem to lie in the somewhat
different form of the eye, the superior length and greater
thickness of fur on the tail, and the nose being more elon-
gated and pointed. The fox differs essentially in habit from
other canine animals: it is more decidedly a dweller in the
ground, making holes or excavations, technically called
- “earths,” for ite dwelling-place; and another peculiarity is
its never joining in bands for any common purpose, but
being quite solitary in its operations,—~in this respect differ.