The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 2 of 5] : $b Mammalia — John Shaqi
The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 2 of 5] : $b MammaliaWaterhouse, G. R. (George Robert)
Science
The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 2 of 5] : $b Mammalia
Waterhouse, G. R. (George Robert)
Beagle Expedition (1831-1836); Mammals; Zoology
_C. suprà niger, albo adspersus, capite lateribusque fuscis, sordidè
albo nigroque adspersis; rostro superiore, mentoque
fusco-nigricantibus; gulâ, labiis superioribus, femoribusque ad
partem anteriorem, sordidè albis; pectore abdomineque
fuscescentibus; auribus externè rufo-castaneis; brachiis internè,
tarsis, digitisque fuscescenti-fulvis; artubus posticis extùs supra
calcem fusco-nigrescentibus; caudæ colore ad basin ut in corpore,
apice nigro._
DESCRIPTION.—This species is considerably less than the common
European fox, (_Canis Vulpes_, Auct.) its weight probably would
scarcely exceed half that of the latter animal. The form of the
body is stout, the limbs are short and rather slender; the head is
also short, and the muzzle is pointed; the ears are of moderate
size. The tail is about equal to half the whole length of the
body, head included; and compared with that of ordinary foxes, is
much less bushy, especially at the base. The general hue of this
animal is very dark; the fur is rather short, and harsh to the
touch; the under fur is abundant, and of a woolly texture. On the
back, all the hairs are of a deep brown colour, annulated with
white near the apex, and black at the apex. When the fur is in its
ordinary position, the brown colour is not seen, and the black and
white produce a grizzled appearance; the black colour, however,
predominates. On the sides of the body each hair is grayish at the
base, then pale brown, near the apex annulated with white, and at
the apex black: the three last mentioned colours are exhibited in
about equal proportions (the fur being in its natural position)
over the haunches and shoulders, but between these two parts, the
brown and white colours are the more conspicuous. The hairs of the
head are coloured in the same way as those of the sides of the
body, excepting that the brown portion of each hair, is replaced
by rusty brown, which gives a rufous hue to this part. The muzzle
and chin are of a sooty brown colour. A dirty white patch is
observable on each side of the muzzle at the apex, and this colour
is extended along the margin of the upper lip on to the lower part
of the cheeks, and over the whole of the throat; all the hairs in
these parts (with the exception of those on the lips) being of a
deep brownish gray colour, with their apical portions only, white.
The ears are covered internally with long yellowish white hairs;
towards, and on the margin of the ears externally, the hairs are
of a buff colour, on the remaining portion of the ears, and on the
sides of the neck, they are of a reddish chestnut hue. The hairs
of the under parts of the body are brown, those near the hinder
legs, and between them, are of a dirty white colour at the apex;
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account