210 THE CARACAL. 
Amonc the Lynxes, few species are better known, at all events by name, than the 
common CARACAL, 
This animal is easily distinguishable from the other members of the Lyncine group 
by its very black ears. The name Caracal is given to the animal on account of this 
peculiarity, the word being a Turkish one, and literally signifying Black-eared. The 
Greek word melanotis bears a similar signification. The Persians have seized upon the 
same characteristic mark, and have termed the creature “Siagosh,’ which word bears an 
exactly similar import to the term Caracal. The colour of this creature is a pale brown, 
warmed with a tinge of red, varying slightly in different individuals, The under parts of 
the body are paler than the upper, and slightly besprinkled with ee The colour of 
these spots is very variable, for in some individuals they are nearly black, while in others 
they are a reddish-chestnut. The lower lip, the tip of the upper lip, and the chin are 
quite white. The tail is very short. It is not a very large animal, being about equal to 
arather large bull-terrier dog in size, and very much more active. 
It is a peculiarly ferocious and surly animal, wearing a perpetual expression. of 
malevolence, and always appearing to be, as it truly is, ready for a snarl and a bite. 
In captivity it appears to be less pervious to the gentle power of kindness than 
almost any other feline animal, and very rarely can be induced to lay aside a suspicious 
and distrustful demeanour, which characterises its every movement. Even to its keeper 
it displays a sullen distrust, and when a stranger approaches its cage it resents the 
undesired visit as if an intentional insult had been offered, laying back its ears and 
uttering a malignant hiss and snarl, its eyes glaring with impotent rage. Although this 
repulsive demeanour has generally characterised the captive Caracal, there may be 
individuals of a very different disposition, ready to meet the advances of their keepers, 
if the keepers be endowed with a nature which is capable of drawing out the better 
feelings of the animals under their charge. More rests with the attendants upon captive 
animals than is supposed, and there is many a wild beast, such as the hyena, the wolf, 
or the jaguar, which has been stigmatized as untameable, simply because its keeper did 
not know how to tame it. Therefore it may be that the Caracal, among other animals, 
is only waiting for the rght man to appear, and that then it will become as docile 
as a dog under his firm, but gentle treatment. 
There is one most valuable rule, learned by long experience among wild beasts, which 
ought to be engraven on the heart of any one who has to deal with these animals. 
Never cross the creature’s disposition if there be any mode of avoiding it, but if it 
be necessary to do so, never yield on any pretext whatever. The animal ought to think 
that the will of its master is absolute, and that opposition is impossible. If the man 
should once yield to the beast he will have forfeited the entire prestige of his position, 
and will have lost an amount of influence which it will be almost impossible to recover. 
The Caracal is essentially predaceous, feeding upon the various animals which fall 
victims to its active and muscular limbs. It is said to be able to destroy the smaller 
deer, and to display very great craft in the chase of the swifter quadrupeds and of birds. 
It is not particularly fleet of foot, nor, as far as is known, delicate of scent, so that it 
cannot fairly run down its prey by open chase like the long-winded wolf, ner follow it up 
by scent like the slow but sure stoat or weasel. But it is capable of making the most 
surprising springs, and of leaping on its prey with a marvellous accuracy of aim. It can 
also climb trees, and can chase its prey among the branches on which the doomed 
creatures had taken up their abode. 
Like the hyena, wolf, jackal, and many other flesh-eating animals, it does not 
content itself with the creatures which fall by the stroke of its own talons, or the grip of 
its own teeth, but will follow the lion or leopard in its nocturnal quest after prey, and 
thankfully partake of the feast which remains after the monarch of the woods has eaten 
as much as he ean possibly contain. In truth, the hon seems oftentimes to carry out the 
Indicrously arrogant pretension of certain human rulers, and to proclaim, “I, the King 
of the Forest, have dined. Let the monarchs of earth take the’r dinner!” As is usual 
among quadrupedal and bipedal royalties, the lion-king has but little chance of making 
a second repast of any prey which his lordly paw may have immolated, for a band of 
