THE SILVER FOX OR VAAL JAKHALS 



Having never been known to interfere with man 

 and his possessions, this gentle Httle fox should 

 not be wantonly persecuted. It at the present 

 time fulfils a duty which is of much importance to 

 man, in helping to keep in check hosts of injurious 

 insects, including the destructive Migratory Locust 

 and some of the most troublesome of the species 

 of termites. In addition, it renders valuable service 

 in reducing the numbers of rats and mice native to 

 South Africa, as they breed with alarming rapidity, 

 and, in consequence, unless preyed upon by many 

 enemies would rapidly become a curse to the farmer. 



The time will probably come when these foxes, 

 and a number of other species of our native animals 

 which are at present rendering us such valuable 

 service, will have served their purpose. They will 

 have accomplished the work for which the Creator 

 evolved them, and will take their place among the 

 many creatures which God has no further use for 

 in the great work of the Evolution of Man. 



So long as there are vast stretches of sparsely 

 populated country, it is exceedingly unwise for man 

 to thoughtlessly interfere with the balance of Nature 

 in the animal kingdom. 



The name Draai, which is a South African Dutch 

 word meaning " turn," is given to this animal owing 

 to the hare-like swiftness with which it can double 

 or turn when racing at full speed. 



The Silver Fox can easily be distinguished from 

 any of the jackals by its more slender build, thin 

 VOL. II 113 8 



