166 THE CARACAL. 



gray, here and there grizzled with black, and diversified with dark brindlings. On the legs 

 the stripes become bolder and better defined. When young, the fur is paler than when the 

 animal has attained its full growth. In size it rather surpasses a large domestic cat. As may 

 be inferred from its name, it is an inhabitant of Southern Africa, being found at the Cape, and 

 in those lands which are inhabited by the various native tribes which are popularly termed 

 Caffres or Kaffirs. 



Among the Lynxes, few species are better known, at all events by name, than the com- 

 mon 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 a 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 malevo- 

 lence, 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 distrust- 

 ful 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 inten- 

 tional 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 charac- 

 terized 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 untamable, 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 recover. 



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 par- 

 ticularly fleet of foot, nor, as far as is 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 



