34 QUADRUPEDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



depth of winter, and was evidently full grown and perfect in all 

 respects. The fur of the Lynx is highly esteemed on account of 

 its length and softness ; for this very reason, however, it is not so 

 durable as the fur of the Otter or Beaver. The skins are generally 

 purchased for three or three and a half dollars. 



2. Lyncus rufus. The Wild Cat. 



Bay Lynx, Penn., Hist, Quad. A. Arct. Zool., i. p. 51. 



Felis rufa, Harlan, Fauna, p. 99. Ricliardso7i, Fauna Bor. Am., p. 103. 



Specific characters. Color yellowish, or reddish-brown, mingled 

 with darker spots of brown ; inferior parts of the throat and body 

 white or whitish ; ears tufted ; inside of the legs spotted with 

 brown ; tail terminated with dark brown, and with a small portion 

 of whitish beneath, obscurely banded. 



Description. The general color is rufous ; some individuals 

 are gray or yellowish-gray ; ear triangular, and surrounded pos- 

 teriorly with a blackish border, within which there is a triangular 

 patch of yellowish white ; tips ornamented with a black, but short 

 pencil of hairs, which springs from just behind the apex ; irides 

 yellow ; eyes partially encircled w ith a whitish stripe ; front, and 

 portions about the upper lip, striped with darkish-brown ; fringe 

 near the base of the jaw mixed with black ; posterior legs dark- 

 brown below the gambrels ; fore legs lighter colored, and spotted 

 inside ; one spot larger, near the body. 



Dimensions. 



ft. in. t'tha. 



Length of the head and body, 2 



« « tail, 045 



Length of another individual, 2 5 



Lengtli from the nose to the base of the ear, . . . .030 



« " eai- 10 



Height behind, 150 



" before, 140 



Observations. The Wild Cat stands high on its legs, has a 

 short, curved tail, which makes the animal appear somewhat dis- 

 proportioned. It resembles the common Cat more than the pre- 



