26 The Carntvora. 
take part in the contests in the amphitheatres. It is still 
pretty common in the Pyrenees, and a few may possibly sur- 
vive in the Alps, but, inasmuch as it is most destructive to 
sheep and goats, persistent war is waged against it. One 
species—the caracal of Africa and Asia—has been successfully 
trained to catch small animals as well as pea-fowl and other 
birds. The skin of the lynx is always soft and beautiful, 
especially in Northern Russia, where it is much more highly 
valued than the sable. The mode of attack is either to lie in 
wait patiently for long periods on the branch of a tree, or to 
creep stealthily towards its victim and make a sudden rush upon 
it, when, if disappointed, it does not attempt pursuit. 
Anyone possessed of ordinary powers of observation, who saw 
a cheetah for the first time, would remark the striking points of 
difference between it and the true cats. The shorter body, longer 
legs and distinct muzzle, give it even almost a canine aspect, 
which is increased when the animal carries its tail much in the 
same manner as a dog. The gait, too, differs entirely from that 
of the cats, and the whole form suggests a capacity for great 
speed—as is actually the case—this being the only member of 
the group which captures its prey by racing it down. There are 
in addition to these features some peculiarities in the dentition ; 
and the claws, which are only imperfectly retractile, cannot 
serve their possessor to anything like the same purpose. Its 
disposition in youth is altogether more dog-like, and it will follow 
its master, whether he be on foot or on horseback, with much 
appearance of attachment. None of the tropical cats would sub- 
mit to the handling necessary for training the cheetah for 
hunting purposes. In these circumstances, it is not to be won- 
dered at that some naturalists have insisted on placing the 
cheetah in a genus by itself, under the titles of Cynofelis, or 
Cynelurus. There are no important differences between the 
African and Asiatic species. 
The sport of hunting antelopes by means of trained cheetahs, 
hooded, and carried on a cart with a platform, from which they 
are released on approaching game, has been often described. All 
