296 THE MOUNTAIN. 



Genus CONDYLURA, (Illiger.) Species Cristata. The 

 star-nosed mole is found in Pennsylvania, having a "range 

 from Hudson's Bay to Virginia." D. K. It is an inhabit- 

 ant of the mountain. 



CATS. 



ORDER RAPACIA, (Family FelidaB.) 

 FELIS Maniculata, or domestic cat, abounds. 

 FELIS Concolor, (Linn.,) panther, cougar, or northern 

 catamount. The range of this powerful and beautiful feline 

 is from "47 north latitude to 54 south." (?) It is still found 

 in numbers in the wilderness part of the Alleghany range, 

 in Pennsylvania. It is a very formidable animal, and the 

 memories of the first inhabitants, many of whom survive, 

 are full of thrilling adventures and incidents connected with 

 their hunts of the panther, and close ungenial proximity 

 with a forester for whom they entertained the most sincere 

 hatred, and against whom they waged eternal war.* 



LYNX Rufus, (Felis Rufa, Temminck,) "Mountain cat," 

 "American wild cat." This cat is found in considerable 

 numbers on the Alleghanies. It has a wide range from the 

 "Atlantic to the Pacific and from the waters of the Missis- 

 sippi to the Gila river." 



* Felis Malta, (1. 0. S. M.) This species of cat is not abund- 

 ant on the Alleghany. It is said to be a descendant of a regal and 

 far-famed race, even the primeval pre-Adamite Cat of cats. The in- 

 conceivably rapid propagation of this species in many places is one 

 of the profoundest scientific problems of the hour, and seems to be 

 a pei'petual and inscrutable mystery. Myriads are springing up in 

 certain localities as if by some spontaneous and prolific teeming of the 

 earth. Very little is known of their habits, except that their prowl- 

 ings and caterwaulings are eminently nocturnal. They are said, by 

 those who pretend to know something about them, to be like other 

 felines, predatory, carnivorous, and somewhat diabolical ; but others 

 who have observed their habits as closely as practicable, assert that 

 where the soft foot of the "Maltese" falls, the celestial manna of 

 charity is left, with the blessings of heavenly love. 



