518 CARNIVORA 



numbers of its mummified remains have recently been found in 

 Egypt, whence they have been imported in large quantities to this 

 country for manure. This species is generally regarded as the 

 main ancestral stock from which the European Domestic Cat has 

 been derived ; one of the arguments in support of this opinion being 

 that the whole of the sole of the hind foot of F. caffira is black, and 

 that the same feature obtains in the darker varieties of the Domestic 

 Cat ; while in F. cuius there are only spots of black upon this 

 portion of the limb. Remains of the Caffre Cat occur in the 

 Pleistocene cave-deposits at Gibraltar. The Indian F. rubiginosa is 

 the smallest species of Cat. 



The Caracal or Persian Lynx (F. caracal) is an animal about 

 the size of a fox, of slender build, with a moderately long tail, 

 reaching doAvn to the heels. It is of a uniform vinous or bright 

 fulvous brown colour above, and is paler, sometimes almost white, 

 beneath. It is quite or almost entirely unspotted. The tail has a 

 black tip, and the ears are black externally, long, upright, pointed, 

 and surmounted by a pencil of fine black hairs. It inhabits Central 

 and North-West India, Persia, Arabia, Syria, and the greater part 

 of Africa. 



The true Lynxes comprise various species or varieties found 

 in the northern and temperate regions of both the Old and New 

 World, all larger than the true Wild Cats, with long limbs, short 

 stumpy tail, ears tufted at the tip, and pupil of the eye linear when 

 contracted. Their fur is generally long and soft, varying, however, 

 according to season and locality, and always longish upon the 

 cheeks. Their colour is always light brown or gray, and generally 

 more or less spotted with a darker shade. The naked pads of the 

 feet are more or less covered by the hair that grows between them. 

 The skull and skeleton do not differ markedly from those of the 

 other cats, but the small anterior upper premolar tooth found in 

 many other species is usually wanting ; and the lower carnassial has a 

 rudimental talon. Their habits are exactly those of the other Wild 

 Cats, and they are exceeded by none in the untameable savageness 

 of their disposition. They capture their prey in the same manner, 

 either lying in wait, or noiselessly stealing within reach, and then 

 making a sudden rush or spring upon it. Their food consists of 

 any mammals or birds which they can overpower. In inhabited 

 countries they commit extensive ravages upon sheep, lambs, and 

 poultry. Lynxes generally frequent rocky places and forests, being- 

 active climbers, and passing much of their time among the branches 

 of the trees. Their skins are of considerable commercial value. 



Zoologists are by no means agreed at present as to the specific 

 distinctions, if any really exist, between the various modifications 

 of this group. As many as eight species are sometimes recognised, 



four belonging to the Old and four to the New World. The former 



