210 THE CARACAL. 



AMONG the Lynxes, few species are better known, at all events by name, than the 

 common CARACAL. 



This animal is easily distinguishable from the other members of the Lyncine group 

 by its very black ears. The name Caracal is given to the animal on account of this 

 peculiarity, the word being a Turkish one, and literally signifying Black-eared. The 

 Greek word melanotis bears a similar signification. The Persians have seized upon the 

 same characteristic mark, and have termed the creature " Siagosh," which word bears 

 an exactly similar import to the term Caracal. The color of this creature is a pale brown, 

 warmed with a tinge of red, varying slightly in different individuals. The under parts 

 of the body are paler than the upper, and slightly besprinkled with spots. The color of 

 these spots is very variable, for in some individuals they are nearly black, while in others 

 they are reddish-chestnut. The lower lip, the tip of the upper lip, and the chin are 

 quite white. The tail is very short. It is not a very large animal, being about equal 

 to a rather large bull-terrier dog in size, and very much more active. 



It is a peculiarly ferocious and surly animal, wearing a perpetual expression of 

 malevolence, and always appearing to be, as it truly is, ready for a snarl and a bite. 



In captivity it appears to be less pervious to the gentle power of kindness than 

 almost any other feline animal, and very rarely can be induced to lay aside a suspicious 

 and distrustful demeanor, which characterizes its every movement. Even to its keeper 

 it displays a sullen distrust, and when a stranger approaches its cage it resents the 

 undesired visit as if an intentional insult had been offered, laying back its ears and 

 uttering a malignant hiss and snarl, its eyes glaring with impotent rage. Although 

 this repulsive demeanor has generally characterized the captive Caracal, there may be 

 individuals of a very different disposition, ready to meet the advances of their keepers, 

 if the keepers be endowed with a nature which is capable of drawing out the better 

 feelings of the animals under their charge. More rests with the attendants upon captive 

 animals than is supposed, and there is many a wild beast, such as the hyena, the wolf, 

 or the jaguar, which has been stigmatized as untameable, simply because its keeper 

 did not know how to tame it. Therefore it may be that the Caracal, among other 

 animals, is only waiting for the right man to appear, and that then it will become as 

 docile as a dog under his firm, but gentle treatment. 



There is one most valuable rule, learned by long experience among wild beasts, which 

 ought to be engraven on the heart of any one who has to deal with these animals. 

 Never cross the creature's disposition if there be any mode of avoiding it, but if it be 

 necessary to do so, never yield on any pretext whatever. The animal ought to think 

 that the will of its master is absolute, and that opposition is impossible. If the man 

 should once yield to the beast he will have forfeited the entire prestige of his position, 

 and will have lost an amount of influence which it will be almost impossible to re- 

 cover. 



The Caracal is essentially predaceous, feeding upon the various animals which fall 

 victims to its active and muscular limbs. It is said to be able to destroy the smaller 

 deer, and to display very great craft in the chase of the swifter quadrupeds and of birds. 

 It is not particularly fleet of foot, nor, as far as known, delicate of scent, so that it 

 cannot fairly run down its prey by open chase like the long-winded wolf, nor follow it 

 up by scent like the slow but sure stoat or weasel. But it is capable of making the 

 most surprising springs, and of leaping on its prey with a marvellous accuracy of aim. 

 It can also climb trees, and can chase its prey among the branches on which the 

 doomed creatures had taken up their abode. 



Like the hyena, wolf, jackal, and many other flesh-eating animals, it does not 

 content itself with the creatures which fall by the stroke of its own talons, or the grip of 

 its own teeth, but will follow the lion or leopard in its nocturnal quest after prey, and 

 thankfully partake of the feast which remains after the monarch of the woods has eaten 

 as much as he can possibly contain. In truth, the lion seems oftentimes to carry out the 

 ludicrously arrogant pretension of certain human rulers, and to proclaim, " I, the King 

 of the Forest, have dined. Let the monarchs of earth take their dinner ! " As is usual 

 among quadrupedal and bipedal royalties, the lion-king has but little chance of making 

 a second repast of any prey which his lordly paw may have immolated, for a band of 



