198 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 
Commonly known in Aggerica by the name of “ Wild Cat,” 
the Red Lynx was long ago described from Minnesota by | 
Carver as follows: “The Cat of the Mountains. This creature 
is in shape much like a Cat, only much larger. The hair or | 
fur resembles also the skin of that domestic animal ; the colour 
however, differs, for the former is of a reddish or orange cast | 
but grows lighter near the belly. The whole skin is beautified 
with black spots of different figures, of which those on the back 
are long, and those on the lower-parts round. On the ears are 
black stripes. The creature is nearly as fierce as a Leopard, 
but will seldom attack Man.” 
With this somewhat vague description may be contrasted the 
detailed one given by Mr. C. I. Herrick, in his ‘ Mammals of 
Minnesota” (1892), which runs as follows :—‘“ The base of the 
fur is tawny-black, the middle buffy-yellow ; terminal portion 
white, or white followed by a longer or shorter black band. 
Ear-tips black ; pencil well developed. Below, the terminal 
white portion is long, concealing the others. Thighs externally 
spotted and lighter, obscurely barred within. The upper arm 
is slightly barred externally, while internally there are several 
wide black bars. In the middle of the back the whole base of 
the fur is black, the tips only being white. The tail is tipped 
with white. The ruff is moderately long, and composed of 
rather stiff harsh hairs. The above description applies to the 
winter pelage. As early as February the whole skin takes on 
the rufous tint before nearly confined to the flanks. In spring 
specimens the base of the fur is pale Vandyke-brown. In the 
yearling the head is of nearly the same size as in the adult. 
The colour seems independent of sex.” Length of head and 
body, 30 inches ; of tail, 6 inches. 
Distribution.—North America, as far south as Mexico. More 
common southwards than to the north, and probably unknown 
in the extreme north, 
