DOG KIND. 55 



unknown in the countries where they are most 

 common. 



The species of the jackall is diffused all over 

 Asia, and is found also in most parts of Africa, 

 seeming to take up the place of the wolf, which 

 in those countries is not so common. There 

 seem to be many varieties among them : those of 

 the warmest climates appear to be the largest, 

 and their colour is rather of a reddish-brown than 

 of that beautiful yellow by which the smaller jack- 

 alls are chiefly distinguished. 



Although the species of the wolf approaches 

 very near to that of the dog, yet the jackall seems 

 to be placed between them ; to the savage fierce- 

 ness of the wolf it adds the impudent familiarity 

 of the dog.* Its cry is a howl, mixed with bark- 

 ing, and a lamentation resembling that of human 

 distress. It is more noisy in its pursuits even 

 than the dog, and more voracious than the wolf. 

 The jackall never goes alone, but always in a 

 pack of forty or fifty together. These unite re- 

 gularly every day, to form a combination against 

 the rest of the forest. Nothing then can escape 

 them ; they are content to take up with the small- 

 est animals; and yet, when thus united, they 

 have courage to face the largest. They seem 

 very little afraid of mankind ; but pursue their 

 game to the very doors, without testifying either 

 attachment or apprehension. They enter inso- 

 lently into the sheep-folds, the yards, and the 

 stables, and when they can find nothing else, 



Buff on, vol. xxvii. p. 62, 



