518 CARNITORA 
numbers of its mummified remains havo recently been found in 
Egypt, whence they have been imported in large quantities to this 
country for manure. This species is generally regarded as the 
main ancestral stock from which the European Domestic Cat has 
been derived ; one of the arguments in support of this opinion being 
that the whole of the sole of the hind foot of /. caffra is black, and 
that the same feature obtains in the darker varicties of the Domestic 
Cat; while in F. catus there ave only spots of black upon this 
portion of the limb. Remains of tho Caflre Cat occur in the 
Pleistocene cave-deposits at Gibraltar, The Indian 2. rubigiinose is 
the smallest species of Cat. , 
The Caracal or Persian Lynx (2. earaeal) is an animal about 
the size of a fox, of slender build, with a moderately long tail, 
reaching down to the heels. It is of a uniform vinous or bright 
fulvous brown colour above, and is paler, sometimes almost. white, 
beneath. It is quite or almost entirely unspotted. The tail has a 
black tip, and the ears are black externally, long, upright, pointed, 
and surmounted by a pencil of fine black hairs. It inhabits Central 
and North-West India, Persia, Arabia, Syria, and the greater part 
of Africa. 
The true Lynxes comprise various species or varieties found 
in the northern and temperate regions of both the Old and New 
World, all larger than the truo Wild Cats, with long limbs, short 
stumpy tail, ears tufted at the tip, and pupil of the eye linear when 
contracted, Their fur is generally long and soft, varying, however, 
according to season and locality, and always longish upon the 
cheeks. Their colour is always light brown or gray, and generally 
more or less spotted with a darker shade. The naked pads of the 
feet are more or less covered by the haiv that grows between them. 
The skull and skeleton do not diffor markedly from those of the 
other cats, but the small anterior upper premolar tooth found in 
many other species is usually wanting ; and the lower carnassial has a 
rudimental talon, Their habits ave exactly those of the other Wild 
Cats, and they are execeded by none in the untiameble savageness 
of their disposition. They capture their prey in the samo manner, 
either lying in wait, or noisclessly stealing within reach, and then 
making « sudden rush or spring upon it. Their food cousists of 
any mammals or Iirds which they can overpower. In inhabited 
countries they commit extensive ravages upon sheep, lambs, and 
poultry. Lynxes genorally frequent. rocky places and forests, being 
active climbers, and passing much of their time among the brauches 
of the trees. Their skins are of considerable commercial value. 
Zoologists ave by no mews agreed at present as to the specific 
distinctions, if any really exist, between the various modifieations 
of this group. As many as cight species ave sometimes recognised, 
four belonging to the Old and four to the New World. The former 
