THE FENNEC. 
273 
egg is extremely thick and strong ; and as the Caama is but a small animal, its teeth are 
unable to make any impression on so large, smooth, hard, and rounded an object. In order, 
therefore, to obviate this difficulty, the cunning animal rolls the egg along by means of its 
fore-paws, and pushes it so violently against any hard substance that may lie conveniently in 
its path, or against another egg, that the shell is broken and the contents attainable. 
The fur of this animal is highly esteemed by the natives for the purpose of making 
c 4 karosses,” or mantles. As the Asse is one of the smallest of the Foxes, a great number of 
skins are needed to form a single mantle, and the manufactured article is therefoie held in high 
value by its possessor. Indeed, so valuable is its fur, that it tempts many of the Bechuana 
tribes to make its chase the business of their lives, and to expend their whole energies in cap 
turing the animal from whose body 
the much-prized fur is taken. 
The continual persecution to 
which the Caama is subjected, has 
almost exterminated it in the imme- 
diate vicinity of Cape Town, where 
it was formerly seen in tolerable 
plenty. Gradually, however, it re- 
treats more and more northward 
before the tread of civilized man, 
and at the present day is but very 
rarely seen within the limits of the 
colony. 
The two animals which now 
claim our attention bear a consider- 
able external resemblance to each 
other, albeit that similarity extends 
not to their formation. So different 
are they from each other, that they 
have been placed in a distinct genera 
by the almost unanimous voice of 
systematic naturalists. 
FEN NEC.— Vulpes zaarensis. 
The former of these animals, the 
Otocyon, or Eared-dog, derives its 
name from the very great propor- 
tionate length of its ears. It is 
smaller than the Fox, and is of a 
tolerably uniform gray color, except 
on the tail, which is covered with long black hair, and on the limbs, which are of a darker 
hue than the body. The ears are erect, well covered with fur, and nearly equal to the head 
in length. It is an inhabitant of Southern Africa. In several anatomical points, especially 
in the arrangement and shape of its teeth, it may be distinguished from the following animal. 
The Fehhec, or Zerda, is an inhabitant of Africa, being found in Nubia and Egypt. It 
is a very pretty and lively little creature, running about with much activity, and anon sitting 
upright and regarding the prospect with marvellous gravity. The color of the Fennec is a 
very pale fawn, or “isabel” color, sometimes being almost of a creamy whiteness. The tail 
is bushy, and partakes of the general color of the fur, except at the upper part of the base and 
the extreme tip, which are boldly marked with black. The size of the adult animal is very 
inconsiderable, as it measures scarcely more than a foot in length, exclusive of the bushy tail, 
which is about eight inches long. 
It is said that the Fennec. although it is evidently a carnivorous animal, delights to feed 
upon various fruits, especially preferring the date. Such a predilection is according to vulpine 
