OCR Text |
Show 319 next to be considered. A fonrth series of twelve specimens, from the Adirondack region of New York, ranges from 5.20 to 5.68, with an average of 5.40. Only three specimens range above 5.50, while four fall below 5.30. A fifth series of five skulls, from European localities, ranges from 5.50 to 5.70, with an average of 5.58. In the Alaskan series, the width ranges from 2.90 to 3.32, averaging 3.20; in the Mackenzie Eiver district series, from 2.87 to 3.28, averaging 3.02; in the " macrurus " series, from 2.70 to 3.20, averaging 2.90; in the Adirondack series, the width ranges from 2.70 to 2.95, averaging 2.80; in the European series, from 3.05 to 3.15, averaging 3.08. Hence- Alaskan aeries Mackenzie River District seiies. ' Macrwu*" aeries , Adirondack series European series Average width. 3.40, or 0.535 of length. 3.02, or 0.581 of length. 2.90, or 0.504 of length. 2.80, or 0.518 of length. 3.08, or 0.552 of length. It thus appears that in the American specimens there is not only a well- marked southward decrease in size, but also a decrease in the relative breadth of the skull, through the greater elongation of the facial portion ; also that the relative breadth is quite appreciably greater in the European form, as noticed long since by Professor Baird.* While the European Vulpes vulgaris may be considered as subspecifl-cally distinct from the American ( Vulpes vulgaris mbsp. fulvus), through its wider skull, less pointed and shorter muzzle, harsher and more reddish fur, etc., the different so- called American " species n or " varieties" ( fuU vu8, " decussatus", " argentatus", and u maerurus77) do not have the same claim tosubspecific recognition. The Foxes of the colder regions, it is true, have a fuller and softer pelage, a greater tendency to melanism, shorter muzzles, and are larger, yet these differences are so inconstant, especially the differences of color, and so insensibly intergrade, that any attempt at their subspeciftc recognition seems impracticable, the most diverse varieties in color occurring at the same localities and even among individuals of the same litter. t * Mam. N. Amer., pp. 126,130. tOn this point see Bulletin Mas. Corap. Zodl., vol. i, pp. 159,160. |