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 
Cadres or Kaffirs. 
Among the Lynxes, few species are better known, at all events by name, than the com- 
mon Cabacal. 
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 P ersians 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 
