164 THE GREAT NORTH-WEST 



on. I have seen larger skins than those I obtained ; but 

 this is not much criterion, as the trappers have a trick of 

 stretching pelts to make them appear as fine and large as 

 possible. The fur is one of those sought by the Hudson 

 Company, 1 but it is only occasionally that the hunters 

 bring in an odd one or two. The animal is not only 

 scarce, but cunning also, and difficult to find ; and makes 

 its escape at the slightest alarm. 



It has a curious lolloping sort of run, and having 

 but a very short, stumpy tail looks, at first sight, more 

 like a dog than a cat. Its legs are very long for a 

 member of the feline family, which is probably the reason 

 of its curious gait, which is indescribable on paper. It 

 is a sort of leaping gallop. It is very expert in climbing 

 trees ; but its favourite lurking places are holes and caves 

 among rocks, or under the matted roots of trees. It un- 

 doubtedly increases the depths of its lurking holes ; and 

 has generally at least two entrances or exits. I do not 

 know how a good dog would fare in attacking the lynx, 

 but the Indian curs are afraid of it. They bark and snap 

 at it, but do not close ; and unless the hunters are close 

 at hand the lynx will make rushes among them, and every 

 dog he catches he kills. 



The lynx, however, I am assured by many Indians and 

 half-breeds, will fly in terror from a very small pack of 

 wolves. The latter often drive them to the trees, and 

 sometimes keep them there for days together. The lynx 

 never kills large animals for prey. The bulk of its prey 

 consists of birds of the grouse family, which it surprises 

 when on the ground, and hares ; but it often contents itself 

 with very small game, rats and mice, and even frogs ; and 



1 The following are the articles for which the Company barter: all 

 kinds of bear, and all kinds of fox skins ; they recognise six varieties of 

 the last red, black, white, blue, silver, and cross. All kinds of deerskins 

 moose, wipiti, and cariboo. Skins of the badger, beaver, musquash, 

 otter, lynx, seal, all martens and pole-cats, wolf and glutton. Also all 

 kinds of feathers, particularly those of the goose and swan. Seal and 

 whale oil, and castorum, walrus tusks, and dried salt-fish. Formerly 

 "buffalo-robes"; but these are no longer procurable. 



