ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 51 



year. Its fur is in great demand for muffs, and winter 

 decorations of ladies' garments ; it is long and beautifully 

 lustrous, but is commonly colored of a dark brown or nearly 

 black, before it is exposed for sale by the retail dealers. The 

 long sharp tufted ears, and short tail of the lynx give it a 

 peculiar appearance, and distinguish it at once from the rest 

 of the cat tribe. 



Its piercing sight has long been proverbial, though its 

 powers in that respect have doubtless been exaggerated; 

 hunters confirm this idea, however, of its discovering objects 

 not visible to other animals. In captivity it is the most vicious 

 of its race, returning the most spiteful menaces in exchange 

 for the kindest treatment. 



THE WILD CAT, or BAY LYNX (Felix rufa'), is peculiar 

 to this Continent. 



Description. Legs disproportionately long to the body, 

 which is slender ; ears large, with moderate black tufts ; tail 

 slender ; color, rufous. 



Many species of this Animal have been described under 

 the names fasciata, aurea, montana, gc., but no satisfactory 

 evidence has been given to prove them distinct. The natu- 

 ralists attached to different expeditions have never been able, 

 either personally or from the Indians, to obtain any other than 

 the one species. It is found, though comparatively rare, in 

 all wild paths of the Northern and the Western States, and 

 Canada. 



The origin of the house cat, like that of many other of our 

 domestic animals, has always puzzled those who have under- 



