XI . OTHER SPORT IN FLORIDA 119 



straight line, 8 ft. 6 in. from hind claw to nose, and 54 inches 



around the chest ; and one of the front claws was 3^ inches, 



measured on the curve. This is described as a fair example of 



the Florida bear. 



The haunts of the Florida deer {Cervus virginianus) are 



becoming fewer every year. They are still plentiful in remote 



parts, but it is rare now to see eight or ten 



Deer. 

 feeding on a prairie at one time. They are 



hunted principally on horseback with hounds ; by slow 



trailing ; and a third method is still hunting, after the manner ot 



the Indians. The Flocida variety is smaller and of a slightly 



different colour from the true Virginian deer ; and a full-grown 



buck will not often weigh over i 10 lbs., and stands about 24 



inches at shoulder. The young are born in April and May. 



The Florida wild cat, a variety of the northern form {Felis 

 riifd) is fairly numerous, and some specimens Lynx or 

 stand 18 or 20 inches at the shoulder. Wild Cat. 



The wolf {Canis lupus) is still found in restricted localities, 



especially in the vicinity of the Big Cypress 



^Volves« 



Swamp, and in extreme Southern Florida. They 



are, I am told, getting exceedingly scarce, and specimens of 

 the black variety are very handsome skins. 



