LETTER XXVII. 



this imaginary creature they attributed extraordinary 

 qualities, and in their fabulous descriptions, repre- 

 sented its sight so piercing, as to penetrate stone 

 walls, and every other opaque body. 



The real iynx, however, which nature, and not 

 imagination has formed, is found bv naturalists to be 

 a very different animal from that which a poetical 

 fancy had created. It possesses none of those extra- 

 ordinary qualities attributed to it by the ancients. 

 Its eyes are indeed extremely brilliant, which, with, 

 the sprightliness of its air and aspect,, aided by a lit- 

 tle exaggeration, might furnish poetry with striking. 

 si-mi!ies and beautiful allusions. 



The lynx differs considerably from every other 

 Animal of the cat kind. Its distinguishing character- 

 istic is the length and erect position of the ears,, 

 which are ornamented at the end with a tuft of long 

 black hair. The length of its body is upwards of 

 four feet, and that cf the tail not above six inches. 

 Its hair is long and soft, and marked with dusky spots, 

 which vary in colour according to its age. Its legs 

 inid feet are thick and strong, and its eyes of a pale 

 yellow. 



. The fur of this animal is valuable for its warmth 

 and softness. Great quantities of it are imported 

 from the northern parts of Europe and America; and 

 the farther north the animals are taken, the more 

 beautiful is their fur, being whiter, and the spots 

 more distinct. It may also be observed, the winter 

 JTS are thicker, more glossy and beautiful than those 

 which are preserved in. the summer season. 



In hunting for its prey, tlu 1 lynx frequently climbs- 

 to the tops of the highest trees; and neither weazles, 

 ermines, nor squirrels, are often able to escape it. It 

 watches for the fallow deer, the hare, and other ani- 

 mals; darts down from the branches where it lies con- 

 juculeJ, seizes them by the throat, and sucks their, 

 blood ; after which it leaves them and goes in search 

 of fresh game. It is consequently a very destructive 

 animal, as it is not easily satisfied with carnage, and. 

 nes makes great havoc among the flocks, 



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