70 CARNIVORA. 



animals for prey, and making away with carrion in every state of 

 putrefaction. It has been called the "lion's provider," for when 

 the cry of the Jackal is heard, the Lion, aware of the cause, 

 makes his appearance, and without ceremony seizes upon the 

 hooty. The Jackals, however, retaliate by aiding in the con- 

 sumption of the larger prey which the lion destroys. They are 

 useful in the east as scavengers, consuming the offal which in 

 oriental cities is thrown into the streets, and might otherwise 

 breed pestilence. Grapes are the special delight of the Jackal, 

 and it often makes great havoc in vineyards. When hunting, 

 these animals utter most piercing shrieks, which produce, it is 

 said, a very terrific effect, "as resounding through the stilly dark- 

 ness of night, and answered from a thousand throats." 



The Jackal is rather larger than the fox, but its tail is shorter 

 and less bushy. It is easily tamed, and is dog-like in disposition 

 and habits. One species of the Jackal, Canis Corsac, the ADIVE, 

 is not larger than a pole-cat, has a long tail, and is found in 

 troops amidst the deserts of Tartary. Other species are the Cape 

 Jackal, C. mesomela, (Gr. mesos, middle, melas, black,) and the 

 C. anthus, (Gr. anthos.) of Senegal. All agree in manners and 

 general disposition, and in exhaling a strong and offensive odor, 

 which, however, is "scarcely perceptible" in a state of domesti- 

 cation. 



Proteles Lalandii. The AARD-WOLF, or EARTH- WOLF, of 

 So^th Africa. This animal has interest as connecting together 

 the Civets, Dogs and Hyaenas. It has the bones and external 

 appearance of a hyaena, the head and feet of a fox, and the intes- 

 tines of a civet. The fore legs are considerably longer than the 

 hind ones, and in this respect it is also like the hyaenas. It is 

 about the size of a full grown fox, yet stands higher on its legs ; 

 but for its more pointed head, and the additional fifth toe of the 

 fore feet, it might, at first sight, be easily mistaken for a young 

 hyaena. Thr; color is a pale ash, with a slight shade of yellow- 

 ish brown. The fur is woolly, except the mane, which is coarse, 

 stiff hair, and bristles up when the animal is provoked. One of 

 these animals was brought from Africa, by the traveler, Lalande, 

 from whom it received its specific name. The generic term is 

 from the Greek protefes, and relates to the superior length of the 

 fore legs. 



Spell CANIDAE and give its derivation. What does the second division 

 of DIGITIGRADES include? What other animals do they resemble? What 

 is said of the origin and antiquity of the dog? What of their resemblance 

 to Wolves and Jackals, and in what respects do they agree ? How do his 

 fidelity and attachment compare with those of other animals? In what 



