THE COMMON WOLF. and his bite very severe. His legs are very short and his feet webbed, on which account he seems to be better fitted for swimming than for running upon land; and he is so eminently aquatic in his habits that he is seldom seen at much distance from the water. This animal when fully grown measured according to Dr. Williams, 5 or six feet in length and weighed about 30 pounds, but the total length of those taken at present seldom exceeds 4 feet. The price of the skin is at present from 5 to 7 dollars, but it has been at times in such demand as to be worth 10 or 12 dollars. ors GENUS CANIS.-Linnæus. Generic Characters.-Teeth 42-Inciscanine 1-1, grinders -9. The three first grinders in the upper jaw are small and edged, and are termed false molars, or grinders; the great carnivorous tooth above bicusped, with a small tubercle on the inner side, and two tuberculous teeth behind each of the carnivorous ones. Muzzle elongated, naked and rounded at the extremity; tongue smooth, ears pointed and erect in the wild species; fore feet with 5 toes and hind feet with 4, having robust nails. THE COMMON WOLF. Canis lupus.-LINNEUS. DESCRIPTION.-General color yellowish or reddish gray, blackish on the shoulders and rump, and yellowish white beneath, but varying much according to age and climate, being in some cases nearly black and in others almost white. On the back and sides there is usually an intermixture of long black, and white hairs with a grayish wool, which partially appears, giving to those parts a grayish hue, which deepens along the back into black; hair on the back part of the cheeks, bushy; tail straight and bushy like that of the fox and nearly the color of the back; eyes oblique; ears erect; teeth very strong. *Difference of colour has been the occasion of the division of this species into the following varieties: Variety I. Lupus griseus, Common Gray Wolf. White Wolf Pied Wolf. 86 2. Lupus albus, 86 3. Lupus sticte, 4. Lupus nubilus, 5. Lupus ater, Dusky Wolf, Black Wolf. THE COMMON WOLF. Length of the specimen in the collections of the College of Natural History of the Vermont University, from the nose to the tail 4 feet 3 inches, tail 17 inches; height at the shoulder 2 feet.* HISTORY.-For some years after the settlement of this state was commenced, wolves were so numerous and made such havoc of the flocks of sheep, that the keeping of sheep was a very precarious business. At some seasons particularly in the winter they would prowl through the settlements by night in large companies, destroying whole flocks in their way, and, after merely drinking their blood and perhaps eating a small portion of the choicest and tenderest parts, would leave the carcases scattered about the enclosure and go in quest of new victims. Slaughter and destruction seemed their chief delight; and while marauding the country they kept up such horrid and prolonged howlings as were calculated, not only to thrill terror through their timorous victims, but to appall the hearts of the inhabitants of the neighborhood. Though the sheep seems to be their favorite victim, wolves sometimes destroy calves, dogs, and other domestic animals; and in the forest they prey upon deer, foxes, hares and such other animals as they can take. Impelled by hunger they have been known in this state to attack persons, but they usually flee from the presence of man. The wolf bears a strong resemblance to our domestic dog; is equally prolific, and its time of gestation is said to be the same. It produces its young in the early part of summer, having from four to eight at a birth. Between the dog and the wolf prolific hybrids have often been produced, which however partake more of the nature of the wolf than of the dog. + Wolves have always been so great an annoyance that much pains have been taken for their extermination, but at present, their number is so much reduced that comparatively very little damage is done by them in this state. The legislature, however, continues in force a law, giving a bounty of $20 for the destruction of each grown wolf within the state, and $10 for each'sucking whelp of a wolf; and the amount paid annually for wolf certificates is usually from one to two hundred dollars. The largest wolves killed in Vermont have weighed from 90 to 100 pounds. The only part of the wolf which is valuable is its skin, which affords a warm and durable fur. *This specimen is distorted by too much stuffing. It was killed in Addison county about ten years ago *Williams Hist. I, 101. THE RED FOX. THE RED FOX. Canis fulous.-DESMAREST. DESCRIPTION.-General color yellowish red, or straw yellow, less brilliant towards the tail; chin white; breast dark gray; belly whitish, tinged with red towards the tail; fronts of the legs and feet black; tail very bushy and less ferruginous than the body, the hairs being mostly terminated with black, giving it a dark appearance, with usually a few white hairs at the tip; eyes near to each other; length of the head and body 28 inches; tail including the hair 16 inches; height of the shoulder 13 inches. THE CROSS FOX. ed. The law authorizing the bounty was repealed in 1841. The red Fox is the common fox in Vermont, as well as in all the northern parts of the United States and Canada. Much doubt has existed with regard to the identity of this fox with the common fox of Europe, Canis vulpes,but it is at present regarded by the best naturalists as a distinct species. The particulars in which the two species differ are pointed out by Dr. Richardson in his Fauna Boreali Americana, Vol. I. p. 91. This fox is sometimes taken in traps, but he is so sly and suspicious that to trap for him successfully requires much skill. The best fox hunters attribute their success to the use of assafætida or castoreum, with which they rub their traps, believing the foxes to be attracted by such perfumes. The fox is however more commonly taken in Vermont, by being shot under the pursuit of the hound. When the hound is put upon their track they do not retreat directly to their holes, nor lead off to any considerable distance in one direction, but take a circuit around the base of some hill which they will often encompass many times before they proceed to their burrows. The hunter, knowing this to be the habit of the fox, can judge of the course he will take and is enabled to place himself in a situation to shoot the animal as it passes. The skins of red foxes, if prime, are always valuable and the price for several years past has been from $1 to $1,25 and sometimes a little higher according to quality. The fox is a prolific animal. It produces its young usually in April and has from three to six at a litter. THE AMERICAN CROSS FOX. Canis fulvus.-Var. decussatus. DESCRIPTION.-A blackish stripe pass HISTORY.-The Fox has always been proverbial for slyness and cunning, and to illustrate these traits of character in the human species this animal has been largely taxed by fabulists, particularly by Esop,who composed his fables 2400 years, ago. Foxes have their residence chiefly in holes, which they dig in the earth, or of which they get possession by ejecting the woodchuck from his. These burrows have two or more entrances and usually extend under ledges of rocks or roots of trees so that digging out the animal is of ten attended with considerable labor. Though sometimes seen skulking about in the day time, or basking in the sun, the Fox does not usually venture much abroad excepting in the night. He then prowls for his prey through the woods and fields and even among our out-build-ing ings. His food consists of hares, rats, mice, small birds and poultry. He is said sometimes to feed upon frogs, snails and insects, and is fond of several kinds of berries and fruits. The fable of the fox and sour grapes, shows that the partiality of this animal for the fruit of the vine was understood in the days of Esop. The Fox is a great annoyance in many parts of the state, sometimes destroying young lambs and often making great havoc among the poultry. A bounty of 25 cents each has been for several years paid for killing Foxes within the state; and the amount paid out of the treasury on this account has varied from $1000 to $2000 annually, showing that from 4000 to 8000 foxes have been annually destroy from the neck down the back and another crossing it at right angles over the shoulders; sides ferruginous, running into gray on the back; the chin, legs and under parts of the body black, with a few hairs tipped with white; upper side of the tail gray; under side and parts of the body adjacent, pale yellow; tail tipped with white. The cross upon the shoulders is not always apparent even in specimens, which, from the fineness of the fur, are acknowledged to be Cross Foxes. Size the same as the common Fox. HISTORY.-Instead of considering the Cross Fox a distinct species, as most American writers have done, I have concluded to adopt the opinion of Dr. Richardson, who regards it merely as a variety of the common fox. In form and size THE BLACK, OR SILVER FOX. the Cross Fox agrees very nearly with the red fox, and differs from it chiefly in color, and perhaps a little in the fineness of its fur. The skin of the Cross Fox bears a much higher price than the red fox, which is owing almost entirely to the color. The price of a prime skin of this fox in Vermont is from $1,50 to $2,50. THE BLACK, OR SILVER FOX. Canis fulvus.-Var. argentatus. DESCRIPTION.-Color sometimes entirely black and shining, with the exception of the tip of the tail, which is white; but more commonly hoary on some parts from an intermixture of hairs tipped with white; the nose, legs, sides of the neck, black, or nearly so fur long and thick upon the body and tail, and short on the paws and face; soles of the feet covered with woolly One of the largest of this variety measured from the nose to the insertion of the tail 31 inches, and the tail, including the hair, 18 inches. fur. HISTORY.-The Black or Silver Fox is regarded by Dr. Richardson as another variety of the common fox. It is much less common than the preceding variety and usually grows to a larger size. It has sometimes been taken in Vermont, but very seldom. Its fur is exceedingly valuable, prime skins being worth from $10 to $15 each. There is another variety in Vermont, which is not uncommon,called the Sampson Fox. The fur is coarse resembling wool and of little value. The Gray Fox, Canis virginianus, is said to have been taken in this state, but as I have seen no Vermont specimen, it is here omitted. As we have before said, it is disputed whether our common red fox is, or is not identical with the common fox of Europe. Harlan, Godman, Richardson, and others, describe it as a distinct species. But Dr. McMurtrie, the translator of Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, says that the Canis fulvus, or American red fox, is identical with the European, and was introduced into the United States many years ago by some Englishmen, who thought they afforded better sport than the American species.* GENUS FELIS.-Linnæus. ors 6 Inferior in canines 1-1. grinders 4-4. cisors forming a regular series; canines very strong; grinders, above, two conical ones on each side, one carnivorous one with three lobes and a small tuberculous one, below, two false compressed simple grinders and one carnivorous bicusped. Head round, jaws short, tongue aculeated; ears *Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, Vol. 1, p. 433. THE LYNX. in general short and triangular; pupils of the eyes in some circular and in others vertically oval; fore feet with 5 toes, hind feet with 4, all furnished with long sharp retractile claws. Felis canadensis.-LINNEUS. DESCRIPTION.-General aspect hoary, sometimes mottled; lighter and yellowish beneath, the extremity of the hairs being white, and below, yellowish brown; head rounded; ears erect, terminated with black pencils or tufts, 14 inch long, black at the tip, with a black border on the posterior side. Anterior border yellowish. Base of the jaws surrounded by a fringe of long hair, intermixed with gray black and white; brownish around the mouth, white beneath; whiskers black and white; tail terminated with black; legs yellowish; toes 4 on each foot, much spread; nails sharp, white and concealed in long silky fur or hair. Total length 3 feet 4 inches; tail 5 inches. Height of the back 1 foot 4 inches; height of the ear 1 inches. HISTORY.-The Lynx was never very greatly multiplied in Vermont, but when the country was new, it was frequently met with, and individuals have been taken occasionally, down to the present time. It resembles in fierceness and subtlety the other animals of the cat kind, preying upon hares, rabbits, mice and other small animals. Nor does it confine itself to small game, but sometimes destroys larger animals, such as deer, sheep, calves &c. This it is said to do by dropping upon them from branches of trees, clinging upon their necks with their sharp claws and opening their jugular veins and drinking their blood. Sheep and lambs have sometimes been destroyed by them in this state. This animal is found in' large numbers in the vicinity of Hudson's Bay. Their skins are valuable and the Hudson Bay Company procure annually from seven to nine thousand of them. The flesh of the Lynx is used for food and is said to resemble that of the hare. It is a timid animal and makes but little defence when attacked. Its gait is by bounds but not swift. It swims well and will cross lakes 2 miles wide. It breeds once a year and has two young at a time. THE BAY LYNX. THE CATAMOUNT. sides and belly, longer, looser, lighter, and tipped with white; hairs of the face like the back, with whitish hairs intermingled, giving it a reddish gray tinge; body long, head round; jaws strong; teeth strong; canines conical; claws strong, retractile, and of a pearly white color. Dimensions of the specimen from which the above description is drawnlength from the nose to the tail, 4 ft. 8 inches; tail, 2 ft. 6 inches; from the top of the head to the point of the nose, 10 red-inches; width across the forehead, 8 inches; length of the fore legs, 1 ft. 2 inches; the hind legs, 1 ft. 4 inches. THE BAY LYNX. Felis rufa.-GUILDENSTED. DESCRIPTION.-Color yellowish, or dish brown. Inferior parts of the throat white, or whitish. Eyes encircled with a whitish band. Front and portions about the upper lip striped with darkish; irides yellow. Ears short, tufted with black hair springing from the back of the ear, near the tip. Inside of the legs spotted with brown. Tail short, terminated with dark brown, and obscurely banded. Fringe of hair longer than in other parts near the base of the jaw. Ears surrounded posteriorly with a black border, within which is a triangular patch of yellowish white. Length of the head and body, 2 ft. 3 inches; tail, 4 inches; height, 16 inches. HISTORY.-This animal has been frequently met with in our woods, and has perhaps been most generally known by the name of Wild Cat. It is, however, to be distinguished from the smaller wild cats with long tails, which are met with, and which have probably sprung from the domestic cat. In its habits it resembles the preceding species, preying upon squirrels, birds, and other small animals. This animal is now very rare, being only occasionally seen, in the most unsettled parts of the State. THE CATAMOUNT. Felis concolor.-LINNEUS. DESCRIPTION.-General color, brownish red on the back, reddish gray on the sides, and whitish or light ash on the belly; tail, the same color as the back, excepting the extremity, which is brownish black, not tufted; chin, upper lip, and inside of the ears, yellowish white; the hairs on the back are short, thick, brownish, and tipped with red; on the HISTORY.-This ferocious American an imal has been known in different places under a great variety of different names. In the southern and western parts of the United States it is called the Cougar, Painter, or American Lion; in New England it is known by the name of Catamount, or Panther; while in Europe it has more commonly borne the name of Puma. This is the largest and most formidable animal of the cat kind found in America. In form it bears considerable resemblance to the domestic cat, but size of a lion. It, however, differs from when fully grown is about two-thirds the the lion in not having the tail tufted, and the male being without a mane. These animals, though scattered over all the temperate and warmer parts of the continent, do not appear to have been any where very numerous. They were formerly much more common in Vermont than at the present day, and have at times done much injury by destroying sheep and young cattle. They usually take their prey, like the common cat, by creeping softly within proper distance, and then leaping upon it and seizing it by the throat. If the victim be a large animal, like a calf, sheep, or deer, they swing it upon their back, and dash off with great ease and celerity, into some retired place, where it is devoured at leisure. Some years ago one of these animals took a large calf out of a pen in Bennington, where the fence was four feet high, and carried it off on his back. With this load, he ascended a ledge of rocks, where one of the leaps was 15 feet in height.* During the day the Catamount usually lies concealed, but in the night prowls for his prey, and in early times his peculiar cry has often sent a thrill of horror through a whole neighborhood. When the country was new, much precaution was considered necessary, when travelling in the Woods in this state, in order to be secure from the attacks of this ferocious beast. * Williams' History, Vol. 1, p. 104. THE COMMON SEAL. THE BEAVER. Travellers usually went well armed, and | Be not surprised, kind reader. It is even at night built a large fire, which served so, and there are living witnesses of the to keep this cautious animal at a distance. fact. While several persons were skaUnder such circumstances a catamount ting upon the ice on lake Champlain, a will sometimes approach within a few little south of Burlington, in February, rods of the fire, and they have been thus 1810, they discovered a living seal in a shot in this state by aiming between the wild state, which had found its way glaring eye-balls, when nothing else was through a crack and was crawling upon visible. The Catamount will seldom attack the ice. They took off their skates, with a person in the day time, unless provoked which they attacked and killed it, and or wounded. In the New York Museum is then drew it to the shore. It is said to the skin of one of these animals, of which have been 44 feet long. It must have the following account is given in Dr. God-reached our lake by way of the St. Lawman's Natural History. "Two hunters, rence and Richelieu; but it was not asaccompanied by two dogs, went out in certained whether the poor (fat) wanderquest of game, near the Catskill moun-er had lost his way, or having taken a miff tains. At the foot of a large hill, they at society, was seeking voluntary retireagreed to go round it in opposite direc- ment from the world-of seals. tions,and when either discharged his rifle, the other was to hasten towards him to aid him in securing the game. Soon after partORDER RODENTIA.-Cuvier. ing, the report of a rifle was heard by one of them, who, hastening towards the spot, This is the same as the order Glires of after some search, found nothing but the Linnæus, and embraces those animals, dog, dreadfully lacerated and dead. He whose teeth are fitted for gnawing. They now became much alarmed for the fate of have two large incisors in each jaw, sephis companion, and, while anxiously look-arated from the grinders by a vacant space. ing round, was horror struck by the harsh No canine teeth. The grinders in some growl of a catamount, which he perceiv- of the genera have flat or ridged crowns, Under ed on a large limb of a tree, crouching up-and in others blunt tubercles. on the body of his friend, and apparently jaw articulated by a longitudinal condyle; meditating an attack on himself. Instant- stomach simple; intestines long; cæcum ly he levelled his rifle at the beast, and large; mammæ variable in number. was so fortunate as to wound it mortally, They feed generally on vegetables, but when it fell to the ground along with the the species with tuberculated grinders body of his slaughtered companion. His are nearly omnivorous. dog then rushed upon the wounded catamount, which, with one blow of his paw, laid the poor creature dead by its side. The surviving hunter now left the spot, and quickly returned with several other persons, when they found the lifeless catamount extended near the dead bodies of the hunter and the faithful dogs." So recently as 1830, one of these animals sprang upon an unfortunate woman, as she was passing along a road in Pennsylvania, and killed her instantly.t The weight of a full grown catamount is usually about 100 pounds. One of the largest taken in this State, to my knowledge, was killed in Roxbury, in December, 1821. It measured 7 feet from the nose to the extremity of the tail, and weighed 118 pounds. Under the name of panther, our legislature give a bounty of $20 each for the destruction of this animal within the state. THE COMMON SEAL. Phoca vitulina.—LINNÆUS. ors GENUS CASTOR.-Linnæus. Generic Characters.-Teeth, 20—incisno canines, grinders, 4-4. Incisors, Very strong, smooth on the outside, and angular within; grinders have a fold on the internal edge, and three similar folds on the outer edge of the upper teeth, which are inverted in the lower ones. Eyes, small; ears, short and round; feet, five toed; fore feet short; hind feet longer and palmated; tail, large, flat, and scaly; a pouch near the root of the tail in the male filled with an unc tuous, odoriferous secretion. THE BEAVER. DESCRIPTION.-Fur dense, consisting of two sorts, one coarse, long, and of a chestnut, or reddish brown color, the oth |