96 THE LYNX. 



The black tiger inhabits Brazil and Guiana, where it is much 

 dreaded by the natives. It is, indeed, a ravenous and ferocious 

 animal, but fortunately the species is not numerous. 



THE LYNX. 



This name appears to have been given by the ancients to a 

 creature which existed only in imagination, and had no existence 

 in the system of Nature. To this imaginary creature they at- 

 tributed extraordinary qualities, and in their fabulous descriptions 

 represented its sight so piercing, as to penetrate stone walls, arid 

 every other opaque body. 



The real lynx, however, which Nature, and not imagination, 

 has formed, is found by naturalists to be a very different animal 

 from that which a poetical fancy had created. Jt possesses none 

 of those extraordinary qualities attributed to it by the ancients. 

 Its eyes are indeed extremely brilliant, which, with the sprightli- 

 ness of its air and aspect, aided by a little exaggeration, might 

 furnish poetry with striking similies and beautiful allusions. 



The lynx differs considerably from every other animal of the 

 cat kind. Its distinguishing characteristic is the length and erect 

 position of the ears, which are ornamented at the end with a tuft 

 of long black hair. The length of its body is upwards of four 

 feet, and that of the tail not above six inches. Its hair is long 

 and soft, and marked with dusky spots, which vary in colour ac- 

 cording to its age. Its legs and feet are thick and strong, and 

 its eyes of a pale yellow. 



The fur of this animal is valuable for its warmth and softness. 

 Great quantities of it are imported from the northern parts of 

 Europe and America ; and the farther north the animals are 

 taken, the more beautiful is their fur, being whiter, and the spots 

 more distinct. It may also be observed, the winter furs are 

 thicker, more glossy and beautiful, than those which are pre- 

 served in the summer season. 



In hunting for its prey, the lynx frequently climbs to the tops 

 of the highest trees ; and neither weazles, ermines, nor squir- 

 rels, are often able to escape it. It watches for the fallow deer, 

 the hare, and other animals ; darts down from the branches where 

 it lies concealed, seizes them by the throat, and sucks their blood; 

 after which it leaves them, and goes in search of fresh game. It 

 is consequently a very destructive animal, as it is not easily satis- 

 fied with carnage, and sometimes makes great havoc among the 

 flocks. When attacked by a dog, it lies down on its back, and 

 defends itself desperately with its claws, and in this posture fre- 

 quently repels the assailant. 



The lynx is common in all the northern parts both of the old 

 and the new continent. It is seldom found in very warm coun- 



