THE CAT FAMILY. 137 



LYNXES. 



All the Lynxes are distinguished by the pencils of black 

 hair which ornament the tips of their ears and the long 

 fringe of hair, black at the base and white at the extrem- 

 ity, that surrounds their faces. They all have very short 

 tails, and their skins are usually more or less spotted but 

 there is considerable variation in color, not only in the 

 various species but in the same animal at different sea- 

 sons, and at different elevations, or in different localities. 



The Jungle Cat (Felis-chaus) is the connecting link that 

 prevents the Lynxes from being considered as a distinct 

 species. It is larger than the domestic cat with which 

 it agrees in having three premolar teeth in the upper jaw, 

 as well as in the form of the lower flesh tooth ; but in the 

 circular pupil of its eye, its shorter tail, and a few long 

 hairs on the tips of the ears, it approximates to the Lynxes. 

 In color it varies from a yellowish grey, to a greyish brown, 

 on the back, with reddish white under parts ; the cheeks and 

 breast may be either banded or pale, and the tail is always 

 ringed and has a black tip like the ears. Black specimens 

 are seen occasionally. In length it varies from twenty- 

 four to thirty inches, exclusive of the ten inch tail. This 

 animal has a wide range, being found in India, Persia, 

 Ceylon, Burma, Syria and North Africa. It is also known, 

 as the Chaus and the Marsh Lynx, although it is some- 

 times found in the Himalayas at an elevation of eight 

 thousand feet, and frequents the open country as well as 

 the jungles. It breeds twice a year and produces from 

 three to four kittens at a litter. It is very savage and 

 even the young are generally untamable. 



The Caracal (Felis-caracal) is believed to be the species 

 to which the expression " Lynx-eyed" owes its origin. It 

 is also known as the Persian and the Red Lynx, although 

 the latter name properly belongs to one of the North 

 American species. The Caracal was the true Lynx of the 

 ancient but is now a rare animal, although its habitat 

 still extends over the greater part of India and a large 

 portion of Africa. This animal is of slender build, from 

 twenty-six to thirty inches long, has a ten inch tail, 

 and stands about eighteen inches high at the shoulders. 



