VARIETIES OF THE JACKAL. 



157 



is the popular belief that the fortunate discoverer of a Jackal's horn becomes thereby invincible in 

 every lawsuit, and must irresistibly triumph over every opponent. A gentleman connected with the 

 Supreme Court of Colombo has repeated to me a circumstance, within his own knowledge of a plaintiff 

 who, after numerous defeats, eventually succeeded against his opponent by the timely acquisition of 

 this invaluable charm. Before the final hearing of the cause, the mysterious horn was duly exhibited 

 to his friends ; and the consequence was that the adverse witnesses, appalled by the belief that no one 

 could possibly give judgment against a person so endowed, suddenly modified their previous evidence, 

 and secured an unforeseen victory for the happy owner of the Narri comboo ! " 



Jackals have often been tamed ; and, under the circumstances, behave exactly like the Domestic 

 Dog : they fawn upon their masters, wag their tails, and throw themselves on their backs with all four 

 paws in the air, altogether like Dogs. The chief drawback to their domestication is their abominable 

 smell ; but it is stated by Colonel Sykes that a tame female Jackal in his possession was quite devoid 



JACKAL OF SENEGAL. 



of this odour, while a recently-caught male, which was placed with her, smelt so horribly as to be 

 almost unapproachable. 



The Common Jackal is found in Asia Minor, South-East Asia, including Persia and India, as far 

 south as Ceylon, and in the North of Africa. The Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas) is found in 

 trans-Saharal Africa, from Nubia to the Cape. It is rather larger than the common kind, with longer 

 ears and tail, a light red skin, with a black back-stripe. It is a very thievish animal, and is accused 

 by some of the natives of eating off the tails of their Sheep. 



The Jackal of Senegal (Canis anthus) is one of the best marked varieties of the Jackal, and 

 has a strong claim to the distinction of a separate specific name. It is considerably larger than 

 the common kind, more elegantly built, and has very long legs, almost like those of a Greyhound. It 

 is of a bright tawny colour, with dark band on the back, side, and chest. It is one of the commonest 

 animals in Central Africa, and " its habits are different to those of the Common Jackal. It is more 

 prudent and suspicious, and is completely nocturnal. During the day it lies hidden in a safe retreat, 

 and nothing but chance can reveal its presence to the hunter." 



The Crab-eating Dog (Canis cancrivorus) is a Jackal approaching in many respects, especially in 

 its long and bushy tail, to the Foxes. It is found in the savannahs of South America. The Aguara, 

 or Azara's Fox (Canis Azarce), another South American species, is almost half-way between Jackals 

 and Foxes, the latter of which it chiefly resembles in its long tail and short snout. 



