COMMON LYNX. 41 



in the dusk of the evening becoming quite circular. 

 The skins of Cats form a warm and comfortable fur ; 

 and, in some countries, are in great request. Their flesh 

 is considered, by some of the negro tribes, as excellent 

 food. 



The Wild Cat is about four times as large as the 

 Domestic Cat. The head and neck are, in proportion, 

 much thicker ; and all the limbs are much more strong. 

 The teeth and claws are extremely large. The colour is 

 generally a pale yellowish-grey, with dusky stripes ; 

 those on the back lengthwise, and those on the sides 

 transverse and somewhat curved. The tail is thick, 

 marked throughout with dusky rings, and always tipped 

 with black at the end. 



Common Lynx. In his general disposition and habits, 

 this animal differs in very few respects from the other 

 beasts of the savage tribe to which he belongs. Among 

 the ancients he was proverbial for his piercing sight ; they 

 even went so far as to believe that he could see through 

 stone walls. The Ly nx is a native of most of the northern 

 parts of the continents of Europe, of Asia, and America. 

 His fur is soft and thick, and when of a pale or whitish 

 colour, with the spots tolerably distinct, is considered very 

 valuable. 



The Lynx is nearly four feet in length, exclusive of the 

 tail, which seldom measures more than about six inches. 

 The ears are erect, and have several long, upright, black 

 hairs at the tip. The head and upper parts of the body 

 are of a greyish colour, tinged with red, and obscurely 

 marked with small, dusky spots. The tail is black at 

 the tip. 



