HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 239 



which reason it is called among the Arabs, the 

 Lion's Guide. 



The Caracal is about the height of a Fox, but 

 much stronger, and more ferocious. It has been 

 known to attack a Hound, and instantly to tear it 

 to pieces. 



This animal is extremely difficult to tame; but 

 when taken young, and reared with great caution, 

 it may be trained to the chace. It is used in taking 

 the smaller sort of animals, in which it is very suc- 

 cessful; but it is active only in the pursuit of those 

 that are too feeble for resistance, or too timid to 

 exert their powers. Whenever it meets with one 

 that is superior to it in strength, it loses its courage, 

 and gives up the chace. It is likewise employed in 

 catching birds; such as Cranes, Pelicans, Pea- 

 cocks, &c., which it surprises with singular address. 

 When it has seized its prey, it holds it fast in its 

 mouth, and lies upon it for some time quite motion- 

 less. 



There are some varieties in this animal. The 

 face of the Nubian Caracal is rounder; the ears 

 black on the outside, interspersed with silver- 

 coloured hairs; on the breast, belly, and insides of 

 the thighs, there are small bright yellow spots; 

 and it has the Mule-cross on the withers, like most 

 of the Barbary Caracals. 



In Lybia, there are Caracals with white ears, 

 tufted at the end with thin black hairs : they have 

 white tails, the extremities of which are surrounded 

 with four black rings ; and on the hind part of each 

 leg there are four black spots. They are small, not 

 exceeding the size of a domestic Cat. 



We have now gone through all the principal 

 varieties which constitute this numerous race; in 



