THECATTRIBE. 65 



one common origin; however, the wild cat is much less subject to 

 variety than the tame one, the intestinal canal is considerably 

 shorter; it is, besides, larger and stronger, and the fur of much 

 greater length. The fur is generally soft and fine, of a pale yellow, 

 blended with grey. A dusky list runs along the middle of the 

 back from head to tail, the sides are streaked with grey, and the 

 tail is thick, and marked with alternate bars of white and black. 

 It is partial to hilly and woody tracts, and lives in trees. Of 

 course it is an expert hunter ; birds, rabbits, hares, mice, rats, and 

 moles, are among the number of the objects of its rapaMous prey : 

 it is well known that in the country domestic cats are lawless 

 poachers; at night they sally forth, and participate largely in the 

 enjoyment of field-sports. Wild cats will ever invade the out- 

 houses of the peaceful farmyard, and carry off young poultry. They 

 will also spread abroad their havoc among lambs, kids, or fawns, 

 and thus prove themselves to be among the most destructive 

 beasts of prey. The wild cat fights with determined valor; if 

 only slightly wounded, it will rush on its assailant, and is repelled 

 with difficulty. Some reach a very considerable size; and have 

 measured upwards of five feet from nose to tail. 



The Caracal, which is the lynx of the ancients, is common 

 in Barbary, in Arabia, and in the southern half of Asia, and in all 

 those countries which are inhabited by the lion, the panther, and 

 the leopard ; like them it depends on prey for its subsistence ; but, 

 unlike them, from its inferior size, its inferior strength, to procure 

 that prey it has much difficulty. The Caracal is not spotted like 

 the iynx ; it has hair rougher and shorter, its tail is largier, and of 

 a uniform color ; its snout is more elongated ; in appearance it is 

 less mild, and in disposition it is fiercer. The lynx is an inhabit- 

 ant of the cold, or at most of the temperate regions; while the 

 Caracal is only found in the hot countries. 



The Lynx is about the size of a moderately large dog, 

 measuring upwards of four feet from head to tail, and the latter is 

 about six inches in length. The body is covered with long soft 

 hair; the feet are thick and strong, and the eyes, which are of a 

 pale yellow color, are proverbially piercing. , This animal is found 



