CARNIVORA, 
191 
habitants, that no one is afraid of it. The name 
appears to be derived from the Chilian word culpem^ 
which signifies madness, or folly; and is strikingly 
applicable to the conduct of this animal, which con- 
stantly exposes it to be shot by the hunters, and is 
probably the reason why it is less common in Chili 
than the fox, though it is equally prolific. 
THE JACKAL. LE CHACAL. 
Cants Aureus. 
The jackal is less than the wolf, and measures 
about two feet six inches. The figure is from a 
specimen which was in the Tower. It is gregarious, 
and inhabits a great part of Asia and Africa, from 
India and the shores of the Caspian, as far west as 
Guinea. It is extremely voracious, and hunts fre- 
quently in packs, in the manner of the dog, which 
animal it approaches very closely both in conforma- 
tion, and in a facility of disposition for being rendered 
tame and the associate of mankind. It emits a dis- 
agreeable odour. 
Jackals are very numerous in Egypt ; and Sonnini 
says, that the catacombs serve as a retreat for them. 
They go in large packs, and prowl round the habita- 
tions. Their howl is very disagreeable, particularly 
during the night ; it is a kind of yelping, that may 
be compared to the shrill cries of children of different 
