190 LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY, 
Distribution,— Africa genegplly, 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 Terai. 
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 allthe 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 isnot 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.” 
