L '»;s 



VEUTEBRATA. 



tlu' larger carnivore. It- keenness of si^ht has become proverbial ; the ancients imagined that it 

 could even penetrate opaque substances. Its far is valuable, and immense numbers of its skins are 

 annually broughl to the various markets of the world. There appear to be several varieties of 

 this Bpecies in Northern Europe and Northern Asia, which pass under different names, and are 

 supposed by some to be distinct species. 



The Bootkd Lynx, /•'. caligata, is rather smaller than the preceding ; the ears arc large, and 

 tipped with a pencil of short brown hairs. The upper parts of the body are a bluish gray, some- 

 times having a fulvous tinge; the lower parts are reddish The tail has three or four incomplete 

 rings toward the tip. It- habits of feeding arc the same as the preceding. It is a native of Africa 

 and the south of India. 



The Cfl \i B, or M irsb Lynx, F. chaus, has a general resemblance to the other lynxes: it i- 

 found in the north of Africa, and in the morasses and bushy lowlands that border the Caspian 

 Sea, as well as the banks of the. tributary rivers. It is said to be numerous in Persia, and has 

 been noticed in the Deccan. This species haunts marshes and boggy regions, and goes hunting, 

 during the night, after birds, small rodents, and fishes; it seldom climbs trees, and is not easily 

 tamed. The Smaller Chaus, F. i^lchella, is found in Egypt; the Serv aline Chaus, F. serva- 

 li>«is, in India. 



THE CARACAL. 



The Caracal, or Siyah Grush, F. Caracal, is supposed by some to be the lynx of the ancients 

 It is somewhat larger than the fox, the upper surface of the body being a uniform deep brown 

 the ears long, apright, and tapering to a fine point, surmounted by a pencil of long black hair- 

 It is found in all the eastern portion of Africa and the southern half of Asia. It is said to follow 

 the lion and other large beasts of prey, most probably for the purpose of feeding upon what thi 

 l.ave. But, in addition to this, it teed- on small quadrupeds and birds, the latter of which it i 

 -aid to pursue actively on trees. It has obtained the name of " lion's provider," most probabb 

 from its dogging the footsteps of tin; lion, and having been found preying on what he has left. Wj 

 are told that the caracals hunt in packs, and run down their prey like wild dogs. A young om 

 in the Zoological Gardens was familiar, and pleased to be noticed; the old ones, in their nativ 

 state, are ferocious and powerful. 



The Flat-headed Lynx, F. planiceps, of Sumatra, is little known. 



