260 THE CANADA LYNX. 



uncommon in the woody districts of the interior, 

 since from 7000 to 9000 are annually procured by 

 the Hudson Bay Company. 



" It is found on the Mackenzie River, as far 

 north as latitude 66. It is a timid creature, inca- 

 pable of attacking any of the larger quadrupeds, but 

 well armed for the capture of the American hare, on 

 which it chiefly preys. Its large paws, slender loins, 

 and long but thick hind legs, with large buttocks, 

 scarcely relieved by a short thick tail, give it an 

 awkward clumsy appearance. It makes a poor fight, 

 when it is surprised by a hunter on a tree, for though 

 it spits like a cat, and sets its hair up, it is easily 

 destroyed by a blow on the back with a slender 

 stick, and it never attacks a man. Its gait is by 

 bounds, straightforward, with the back a little arch- 

 ed, and lighting on all the feet at once. It swims 

 well, and can cross the arm of a lake two miles wide, 

 but it is not swift on land. It breeds once a year, 

 and has two young at a time. The natives eat it* 

 flesh, which is white and tender, but rather flavour- 

 less, much resembling that of the American hare. 



" The head is round, the nose obtuse, and the 

 face resembles the domestic eat. The ears are 

 erect and tipped with a tuft of black hairs ; on their 

 posterior surface they have a dark mark beneath the 

 tip, which continues downwards to their bases. On 

 the body and extremities the fur is hoary, most of 

 the hairs being tipped with white ; on the crown of 

 the head and down the back, there is a considerable 



