lOTRODUCTTIOM. 
Xvii 
t? the jackalTs being the lion’s provider; when 
the reality is* that the jackal! hunts for itself, and 
the lion is an unwelcome intruder upon the fruit of 
liis toil. 
Nevertheless* with all the powers which carni- 
vorous animals are possessed of* they generally lead 
a life of famine and fatigue. Their prey has such 
a variety of methods for escaping* that they some- 
times continue without food for a fortnight toge- 
ther ; but nature has endowed them with a degree 
of patience equal to the severity of their state ; 
so that as their subsistence is precarious* their ap- 
petites are complying. They usually seize their 
prey with a roar* either of seeming delight* or 
perhaps to terrify it from resistance. They fre- 
quently devour it* bones and all* in the most raven- 
ous manner ; and then retire to their dens* continu- 
ing inactive till the calls of hunger again excite 
their courage and industry. But as all their me- 
thods of pursuit are counteracted by the arts of 
evasion* they often continue to range without 
success* supporting a state of famine for several 
days* nay* sometimes* weeks together. Of their 
prey* some find protection in holes* in which nature 
has directed them to bury themselves ; some find 
safety by swiftness ; and such as are possessed 
of neither of these advantages* gene raily herd toge- 
ther* and endeavour to repel invasion by united 
force. The very sheep* which to us seem so de- 
fenceless* are by no means so in a state of nature | 
they are furnished with arms of defence, and a 
