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CARACAL.

Tye caracal, which belongs to the hot parts of Asia
and Africa, is the lynx of the ancients. The animal
known to us by that name was unknown to the Greeks;
and the Romans, who knew it, called it by a different
name. It -derives its modern name from two Turkish
words, which mean ‘black ear.’ It is widely distributed,
being found in Persia, India, Barbary, Nubia, Egypt,
and the whole of Africa, to Caffraria, Turkey, and Arabia.

The general colour of the body is a pale reddish
brown, with a. vinous tinge; the lower parts are paler.
Two spots of pure white are near each eye, one on
the inner side and above the eye, the other beneath
its outer angle. The edges of the upper lip, the chin,
and lower lip, are white, as are the insides of the limbs.
The whiskers rise from a series of black lines. The
ears are long and tapering, and .are surmounted by a
pencil of long black hairs; their colour externally is black.
The tail reaches only to the hock joint. Temminck
gives the measurements as following:—Length, two feet
ten inches, of which the tail measures ten; average
height, about fourteen inches. The eyes of the caracal
have a marked nocturnal character, and are large, bright,
and scowling in their expression. The limbs are extremely
muscular, and its whole contour denotes great activity.

The caracal feeds on small quadrupeds and_ birds,
the latter of which it pursues even to the tops of the
trees. It is said to follow the lion and other large beasts
of prey for the purpose of feeding on what~ they leave.

The caracal leaps upon its vietim, and holds it. with

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