NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



returned and dined, and in the morning was 

 found dead. The destruction wrought to the 

 stock of the farmer by jackals, especially in 

 the Cape Midlands, is immense. 



The only way by which a farmer in jackal- 

 infested districts can succeed in saving his stock, 

 is to erect what is known as jackal-proof wire 

 fencing, and shutting up his stock in secure kraals 

 at night. 



In the past, the Cape Government paid 7/. 6d. 

 each for jackals' tails, and, although hundreds of 

 thousands of pounds were spent, the jackals in- 

 creased in numbers. Until the country becomes 

 more thickly populated, and the vast masses of 

 dense, thorny scrub and prickly-pear-covered lands 

 are cleared, the jackal will continue to thrive and 

 levy toll upon the pioneer farmer. 



The pelt of the Black-backed Jackal is utilised by 

 the natives for making karosses. It suits this pur- 

 pose admirably, for the fur is close, soft, and thick, 

 and the blackish silver-spangled back, bordered 

 with red, has a handsome appearance. In size this 

 jackal is slightly larger than an adult English fox, 

 and is very similar in shape. The whole of the 

 back is covered with what seems to be a black patch 

 interspersed freely with grey. However, on close 

 examination of the under fur of the back, it will be 

 noticed to be fine and woolly, and reddish-yellow 

 in colour. Beyond this, long hairs grow which are 

 black at the tip and base, with the median portion 



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