European Lynx ']'] 



THE EUROPEAN LYNX 



{Fclh \L,ynx\ lynx) 

 (Plate II. Fig. i) 



Apart from the very distinct caracal (described in Gtime of India^ t-'tc), 

 lynxes are represented by a northern and a southern species in both the 

 Old and the New World. In Europe and North Asia the northern form is 

 the true, or common, lynx, and the southern the Spanish or pardine lynx ; 

 while in America the Canadian lynx and two allied races represent the 

 northern type, and the red lynx (with its numerous local phases) the 

 southern type. The red lynx (described in the sequel) differs from the 

 northern lynxes in certain structural details ot the skull ; and, it sufficient 

 specimens were available, it would probably be found that somewhat 

 similar features distinguish that of the Spanish lynx. 



While admitting that the two are intimately connected, American 

 naturalists regard the Canadian lynx as specifically distinct from the 

 European animal ; and they likewise assign the same rank to the two 

 other American representatives of the northern type. All these forms are, 

 however, so closely allied that it seems preferable to regard them as local 

 phases of a single circumpolar species. 



With the more typical representatives of the genus Fclis the true 

 lynxes are connected by means of the Old World caracal and jungle-cat. 

 Were it not tor this connection, imperfect as it is, they would undoubtedly 

 be regarded as entitled to form a genus by themselves ; and that they are 

 so, in spite of the connection in question, is the opinion of many eminent 

 zoologists at the present day. Personally, however, the author inclines 

 to the view that they are not more than subgenerically distinct from the 

 true cats ; and if this view be adopted the full title of the common lynx 

 will be Feiis [Lynx) lynx. 



