2S6 CARNIVORA. 



stories of women and children having been devoured by them are mere 

 fables. Equally fabulous is the notion that assigns to the jackal the duties 

 of being the lion's purveyor ; it is rather the lion's parasite, and follows 

 the nobler creature in order to get the remains of his meal. The story 

 that the jackal gave the lion notice of prey, was taken bj- Aristotle from 

 an Indian fable, and was borrowed from him by later writers. 



When taken young the jackal is easily tamed, and becomes more 

 domesticated than the fox, exhibiting most of the characteristics of the 

 dog. Like the dog, it is subject to rabies. 



The Landjak, Canis pallipes, is a species found in Nepaul and North- 

 ern India, resembling in its habits the common jackal. 



The Black-baxded Jackal, Canis mcsomdas, is by some writers 

 classed with the foxes. It is an inhabitant of Southern Africa, and is 

 sometimes called the Cape Jackal. It is distinguished from the com- 

 mon jackal by the black and white mottlings of its fur. 



The traveler Burton remarks that among the Somali the morning cry 

 of this jackal is used as an omen of good or evil, according to its direc- 

 tion and its tone. He also mentions that it is in the habit of attacking 

 the peculiar fat-tailed sheep which inliabit that country, and carrying 

 off their Iambs. The fat-burdened tail forms an article of diet which 

 seems to be greatly to the jackal's taste, and which he procures by leap- 

 ing suddenly upon the poor sheep, and then making a fierce bite at its 

 tail. The terrified sheep starts off at best speed, and leaves a large 

 mouthful of its tail between the aggressor's teeth. Kids and other small 

 animals fall victims to this insatiate devourer. 



THE FOX. 



The foxes are distinguished from the wild dogs, wolves, and jackals 

 by their long bodies, sharp-pointed heads, and by the possession of oblong 

 pupils to their eyes ; the tail is very bushy, and most of the species exhale 

 an unpleasant odor. 



The Common Fox, Canis vulpcs (Plate XVIII), is found throughout 

 Europe, where it enjoys an immense reputation tor cunning, which he 

 displays equally in prosecuting his robberies on the poultry-yard of the 

 farmer and in his endeavors to throw his pursuers on a false track. Like 

 some of the wolves, he will feign death when surprised by the hunters 

 and there is no hope of safety in flight. 



