_The Thaleb._—The animal called thaleb[73] is the red fox; it emits the same strong scent as the fox of Europe, and is found in all parts of the country; but is far from being so common as the deeb, which some have compared to the jackal, others to the brown fox. It is certain, that the deeb emits no offensive smell; it is a very cunning animal, and its name is applied metaphorically to signify craft, which it possesses in a greater degree than any other animal; this circumstance alone seems to ally it to the fox species. It is very fond of poultry; and at night, a little after dark, the still air of the country is pierced with its cries, which alternately resemble those of children, and that of the fox. They assemble in numbers, and abound throughout the country, particularly in the environs of plantations of melons and other vinous plants. Some of these deebs have longer hair than others, and their skins are particularly soft and handsome. The provinces of Shedma, Haha, and Suse abound with this animal: the Arabs hunt it, and bring the skins for sale to the Mogodor market. _The (Dubbah) Hyæna._—The Dubbah, a term which designates the hyæna among the Arabs, is an animal of a ferocious countenance; but in its disposition, more stupid than fierce; it is found in all the mountains of Barbary, and wherever rocks and caverns are seen; this extraordinary animal has the opposite quality of the deeb,[74] having a vague and stupid stare, insomuch that a heavy dull person is designated by the term dubbah.[75] The flesh of this animal is not eaten, except in cases of extreme hunger: those, however, who have tasted it assert, that it causes stupefaction for a certain time; hence, when a person displays extraordinary stupidity, the Arabs say (_kulu ras Dubbah_), he has eaten the head of a hyæna.