THE WOLF.
Identity of the animal indisputable—Its numbers, past and present—The Wolf never mentioned directly—Its general habits—References in Scripture—Its mingled ferocity and cowardice—Its association into packs—The Wolf's bite—How it takes its prey—Its ravages among the flocks—Allusions to this habit—The shepherd and his nightly enemies—Mr. Tristram and the Wolf—A semi-tamed Wolf at Marsaba[ 50]
THE FOX, OR JACKAL.
The two animals comprehended under one name—The Jackal—Its numbers in ancient and modern Palestine—General habits of the Jackal—Localities where the Jackal is found—Samson, and the three hundred "foxes"—Popular objections to the narrative—The required number easily obtained—Signor Pierotti's remarks upon the Jackal—An unpleasant position—How the fields were set on fire—The dread of fire inherent in wild beasts—The truth of the narrative proved—The Fox and Jackal destructive among grapes—Allusions to the Fox in the New Testament—Partially tamed Foxes[ 55]
THE HYÆNA.
The Hyæna not mentioned by name, but evidently alluded to—Signification of the word Zabua—Translated in the Septuagint as "Hyæna"—A scene described by the Prophet Isaiah—The Hyæna plentiful in Palestine at the present day—Its well-known cowardice and fear of man—The uses of the Hyæna, and the services which it renders—The particular species of Hyæna—The Hyæna in the burial-grounds—Hunting the Hyæna—Curious superstition respecting the talismanic properties of its skin—Precautions adopted in flaying it—Popular legends of the Hyæna and its magical powers—The cavern home of the Hyæna—The Valley of Zeboim[ 62]
THE WEASEL.
Difficulty of identifying the Weasel of Scripture—The Weasel of Palestine—Suggested identity with the Ichneumon[ 68]
THE FERRET.