The Lmip Cervier. 247 



ARTICLE XL. — On the Loup Cervier^ or Canadian Lynx, (Lynx 

 Canadensis), and the Bay Lynx or Wild Cat of the United 

 States, [Lynx Rufus.) 



GENUS LYNX. 



Dental Formula. 



Incisive^', Canine \ — \; Cheek-Teeth^ — 1=28. 



Generic Characters. — The teeth of the genus Lynx do not differ 

 from those of the tame cats, except that there is one less on each 

 side in the upper jaw. The canines are large and strong; and the 

 small false molars, next to the canines, which exist in the large 

 long tailed cats, such as the lion, tiger, panther, cougar, etc., 

 as well as in the common domestic cat, are here wanting. 

 There is one false molar, or conical tooth, on each side, 

 one carnivorous, with three lobes and a tubercle, or blunted 

 heel, on the inner. The third cheek-tooth is rather small, and is 

 placed transversely. In the lower jaw there are on each side 

 two false compressed simple molars and one canine, which is 

 bicuspid. The head is short, round and arched ; jaws short ; tongue 

 aculeated ; eais short, erect, more or less tufted ; fore feet with 

 five toes, hind feet with only four ; nails retractile ; tail shorter 

 than the head, although nearly as long in a few instances. 



This genus has been separated from the old genus Felis on ac- 

 count of the tufted ears, shorter bodies and tails, and also the slight 

 differences in the teeth. The generic name is from the Greek 

 lunyx, a lynx. There are eight species, one in Africa, two in 

 Persia, one in Arabia, two in Europe, and two in North America. 

 (And. and Bach.) 



Both of the American species are found in Canada. They 

 are described as follows : 



1. Lynx Rufus. — Guldenstaed. Common American Wild Cat, 

 Bay Lynx. 



Specific Characters. — Tail nearly as long as head; extremity 

 on the upper surface black, tipt with more or less ivhite ; a whitish 

 spot on the hinder part of the ear, bordered with black; general 

 colour reddish, brown in autumn, and winter ashy brown; in spri7ig 

 and summer, soles of feet naked. 



2. Lynx Canadensis. — Geoffrey. The Loup Cervier, or 

 Canada Lynx. 



