I once joined some keen sportsmen on a clieeta hunt in the 
forests of Guzerat, but the animal was in a sullen mood, and af- 
forded very little diversion. The Moguls train another beast for 
antelope-hunting, called the syah-gush, or black-ears; which ap- 
pears to be the same as the caracal, or Persian lynx, felis caracal. 
The syah-gush resembles the lynx, but is smaller, and less fierce; 
with a more pointed head, and remarkably long ears, tufted with 
black, its general colour is a reddish brown; in the chace it affords 
much amusement, and is employed in the pursuiL of herons, cul- 
lums, cranes, and large birds. 
Porcupines are met with in most parts of Hindustan; they are 
generally about two feet long, and one in height, in appearance 
resembling the hedgehog; except that the prickles of the latter 
are on the porcupine hard pointed quills, which cover the whole 
body in different lengths, from one to fifteen inches; these quills 
are strongly fixed in the skin, and very sharp at the point: they 
are mostly white, variegated with a purplish brown, and harder than 
a goose-quill; some are thick, strong, and sharp, others long and 
flexible : every part of the body is closely covered with them, ex- 
cept the ears and feet: the porcupines are very destructive in gar- 
dens; they select the nicest fruit within their reach, and will pass 
over beds of common vegetables, to devour the lettuce, cucumber, 
french-beans, and other delicacies: when roasted, their flesh has the 
appearance and flavour of pork: I have frequently dined on this 
animal, as also on the small land-tortoise; both very common in 
Guzerat. 
My walks from Surat were often directed to the village of 
Pul parra, pleasantly situated on the banks of the Tappee, and 
