THE CARACAL. 189 



Characters. — With this species we come to the first of the True 

 Lynxes, all of which are characterised by the long and well- 

 marked pencil of hairs at the tip of the ears, the absence of the 

 anterior upper pre-molar tooth, and the slight development of 

 the tubercle on the inner side of the upper carnassial tooth. 

 Were it not for their connection with the more typical members 

 of the family by means of the Jungle Cat and its allies, there 

 would be much to be said in favour of referring them to a 

 genus apart. As it is, however, such a course cannot be justi- 

 fied, especially when we recall the fact that in its greater length 

 of tail the Caracal connects the other Lynxes with the Jungle 

 Cat. 



From the other Lynxes the Caracal is at once distinguished 

 by the greater length of its tail, which reaches down to the 

 hocks ; while it is further characterised by its uniform red 

 colour and long and pointed black ears. In point of size it is 

 intermediate between the Jungle Cat and the common Lynx ; 

 the build is slender, the limbs are relatively long, and the tail 

 equals one -third the length of the head and body. 



Mr. Blanford describes the colour of the upper parts as vary- 

 ing from rufous-fawn to brownish-rufous, "generally the former 

 in Indian specimens, unspotted ; below paler rufous or white, 

 often with indistinct rufous spots. Fur nearly the same colour 

 throughout, slightly paler near the roots, some white tips inter- 

 mixed on the back, and in dark specimens black tips also, 

 giving a peculiar grizzled appearance. Limbs and tail the same 

 colour as the body, the tip of the tail being sometimes, but 

 not always, black. Ears outside black, often mixed with white ; 

 inside white. A blackish spot on each side of the upper lip, 

 and others, not always distinct, above each eye and on each 

 side of the nose. A white or pale spot inside, and another 

 below each eye." Length of head and body, 26 to 30 inches ; 

 of tail, from 9 to 10 inches; height, 16 to 18 inches. 



