icjo Lloyd's natural history. 



Distribution. — Africa generally, Palestine, Arabia, Syria, 

 Taurus, Mesopotamia, Persia, Transcaspia, and India. Gener- 

 ally distributed in the latter country, it is found more abun- 

 dantly in the west, especially in Sind, Kach, Dehra Dun, and 

 the Nipal Tend. 



The Caracal of Northern Africa has recently been separated 

 by Herr Matschie under the name of Caracal berberorum, but 

 further evidence is required before its right to specific distinc- 

 tion can be definitely accepted. 



Habits.— The Caracal is believed to be the animal which gave 

 origin to the term " lynx-eyed," although there does not appear 

 to be any evidence that it is more keen of sight than other 

 members of the Family to which it belongs. In South Africa, 

 where it is pretty well exterminated in the regions lying to the 

 southward of the Orange River, the Caracal, according to Messrs. 

 Nicolls and Eglington, is generally found in open country at 

 considerable distances from water, thus differing markedly from 

 the Serval. Rapid in its movements, and an excellent climber, 

 its strength and activity make it a match for the best Dog ; and 

 instances are on record where females with young have boldly 

 attacked natives, by whom they have been with difficulty driven 

 off. Indeed, for its size, the Caracal is held in this part of Africa 

 to be the most savage of all the Cats. " Even when obtained 

 young and brought up by hand," write the observers last 

 named, " it gradually develops a character, so to speak, of pure 

 ( cussedness,' that any attempts to tame it have invariably proved 

 unsuccessful. The Boers hold to the belief — which is often 

 treated with ridicule — that the skin of this Lynx, when made 

 into and used as karosses [mantles], is a sovereign remedy 

 against an attack of rheumatism. Whether they really possess 

 any curative virtues, it is not within our province to determine, 

 but their general use is greatly favoured in South Africa ; and 

 it is certainly a fact that the fur of the dead animal is highly 

 electrical." 



