268 
VEETEBRATA. 
the larger carnivora. Its keenness of sight has become proverbial ; the ancients imagined that it 
could even penetrate opaque substances. Its fur is valuable, and immense numbers of its skins are 
annually brought to the various markets of the world. There appear to be several varieties of 
this species in Northern Europe and Northern Asia, which pass under different names, and are 
supposed by some to be distinct species. 
The Booted Lynx, F. caligata^ is rather smaller than the preceding ; the ears are large, and 
tipped with a pencil of short brown hairs. The upper parts of the body are a bluish gray, some- 
times having a fitlvous tinge ; the lower parts are reddish: The tail has three or four incomplete 
rings toward the tip. Its habits of feeding are the same as the preceding. It is a native of Africa 
and the south of India. 
The Chaus, or Marsh Lynx, F. chaus, has a general resemblance to the other lynxes : it is 
found in the north of Africa, and in the morasses and bushy lowlands that border the Caspian 
Sea, as well as the banks of the tributary rivers. It is said to be numerous in Persia, and has 
been noticed in the Deccan. This species haunts marshes and boggy regions, and goes hunting, 
during the night, after birds, small rodents, and fishes ; it seldom climbs trees, and is not easily 
tamed. The Smaller Chaus, F. ■pulchella^ is found in Egypt ; the Servaline Chaus, F. serva- 
linas, in India. 
THE CARACAL. 
The Caracal, or Siyah Ghush, F. Caracal^ is supposed by some to be the lynx of the ancients 
It is somewhat larger than the fox, the upper surface of the body being a uniform deep brown ' 
the ears long, upright, and tapering to a fine point, surmounted by a pencil of long black hairs 
It is found in all the eastern portion of Africa and the southern half of Asia. It is said to follow 
the lion and other large beasts of prey, most probably for the purpose of feeding upon what they 
leave. But, in addition to this, it feeds on small quadrupeds and birds, the latter of which it is 
said to pursue actively on trees. It has obtained the name of " lion's provider," most probably 
from its dogging the footsteps of the lion, and having been found preying on what he has left. We 
are told that the caracals hunt in packs, and run down their prey like wild dogs. A young one 
in the Zoological Gardens was familiar, and pleased to be noticed ; the old ones, in their native 
state, are ferocious and powerful. 
The Flat-headed Lykx, F. planiceps, of Sumatra, is little known. 
