50 ANIMALS OP NORTH AMERICA. 



near the Catskill mountains, N. Y. At the foot of a large 

 hill, they agreed to go round it hi opposite directions, and 

 when either discharged his rifle, the other was to hasten 

 towards him to aid him in securing the game. Soon after 

 parting, the report of a rule was heard by one of them, who 

 hastening to the spot, after some search, found nothing but 

 the dog, dreadfully lacerated and dead. He now became 

 much alarmed for the fate of his companion, and while anx- 

 iously looking round, was horror struck by the harsh growl 

 of a catamount, which he perceived on a large limb of a tree, 

 crouching upon the body of his friend, and apparently medi- 

 tating an attack upon himself. Instantly he levelled his rifle 

 at the beast, and was so fortunate as to wound it mortally, 

 when it fell to the ground along with the body of his slaughtered 

 companion. His dog then rushed upon it, but with one blow 

 of his paw it laid the 'poor creature dead by its side. It was 

 finally despatched with great difficulty." The cougar is fast 

 disappearing ; though a severer winter than usual in Canada, 

 brings it about the settlements sufficiently to show what mis- 

 chief it could be capable of inflicting, if numerous. 



THE NORTHERN LYNX (Fells Canadensis) is found in 

 both Asia and America. 



Description. Slim in form ; ears acute, and more or less 

 tufted ; tail short ; timid ; moves by a succession of leaps, 

 alighting on all four feet at once ; color uniform reddish 

 gray. 



This is a fierce and subtle 

 animal, but fearful of man. It 

 seldom approaches settlements, 

 preferring the plains and woods of 

 the wilderness. It is found in 

 great abundance in the Hudson 

 Bay territory, and all the north- 

 ern parts of America; whence as 

 many as eight thousand of its skins have been exported in one 



