520 



CARNIVORA 



and of the variations due to age, sex, season, and climate, have 

 been more carefully studied. We shall then probably come to the 

 conclusion that all or nearly all the existing forms of northern 

 Lynxes, whether American or Eurasian, belong to what may fairly 

 be called a species, which is becoming by degrees differentiated into 

 several more or less strongly marked local varieties. Mr. W. T. 

 Blanford has indeed shown that the Tibetan Lynx {¥. isabellina) 

 is inseparable from F. lynx ; the specimens from Gilgit being inter- 

 mediate in colour between the typical forms of the two races. 

 On the other hand, from the evidence of cranial characters, Professor 

 Mivart is disposed to regard F. pardina as a valid species. 



S 



Fig. 229. — The Puma (Fulls concolor). 



B. New World Species. — The Puma or Couguar (F. concolor, Fig. 

 '229), commonly called "Panther" in the United States, is about 

 the size of a Leopard, but of an uniform brown colour. It usually 

 measures from nose to root of tail about 40 inches, the tail being 

 rather more than half that length. The head is rather small com- 

 pared with that of other Cats and has no mane. The ears are large 

 and rounded. The tail is cylindrical, with some bushy elongation 

 of the hairs near the end, but not forming a distinct tuft as in the 

 Lion. The general colour of all the upper parts and sides of the 

 adult is a tawny yellowish-brown, sometimes having a gray or 

 silvery shade, but in some individuals dark or inclining to red. 

 The lower parts of the body, inner surface of the limbs, the 

 throat, chin, and upper lip are dirty white ; the outside of the ears, 



