244 THE JACKAL, 



hot and temperate parts of Asia ; and in most parts 

 of Africa, from Barbary to the Cape. 



In their manners these animals are much aUied to 

 the Dog, When taken ^^oung, they soon become 

 domestic, attach themselves to mankind, wag their 

 tails when pleased, and distinguish their masters 

 from other persons. They love to be fondled^ and 

 patted with the hand ; and when called by name, 

 will leap on a table or chair. They eat readily from 

 the hand ; and drjnk as Dogs do, by lapping. They 

 are fond of playing with Dogs ; unlike most others 

 of this genus, which run away from them. Al- 

 though carnivorous in a wild state, they eat bread 

 eagerly. Mr. Pennant seems of opinion, that they 

 are the stock from whence have sprung the various 

 races of these domestic animals. 



In their native forests they associate in packs of 

 from fifty to two hundred ; where they hunt during 

 the night, like Hounds, in full cry. They devour 

 poultry and Lam.bs, ravage the streets of villages 

 and gardens near towns, and are said even to de- 

 stroy children which are left unprotected. They are 

 bold and courageous ; sometimes entering the tent 

 of a traveller while h^ is asleep, and stealing away 

 any thing that is eatable. If animal prey is not to 

 be met with, they will feed on roots and fruit. In 

 this case the most infected carrion comes not amiss 

 to them. They greedily disinter the dead, and de- 

 vour the most putrid bodies ; on which account the 

 graves are in man}'' countries made of great depth. 

 They also attend caravans, and follow armies, to 

 feast on the remains of the dead. 



In the night their howlings (for their voice is na-. 



