64 THE CANADA LYNX. 



Tlie usual color of the Lynx is a rather dark gray, washed with red, 

 ou which are placed sundry dark patches, large and few upon the body, 



The European Lynx {Lyncus vmjatus). 

 and many and small upon the limbs. On the body the spots assume 

 an oblong or oval shape, but upon the limbs they are nearly circular. 

 The tail of the Lynx is short, being at the most only seven or eight 

 inches in length, and sometimes extending only six inches. The length 

 of the body and head is about three feet. 



The fur of the Lynx is valuable for the purposes to which the feline 

 skin is usually destined, and commands a fair price in the market. 

 Those who hunt the Lynx for the purpose of obtaining its fur choose 

 the winter mouths for the time of their operations, as during the cold 

 season the Lynx possesses a richer and a warmer fur than is found upon 

 it during the warm summer months. 



The New World possesses its examples of the Lyncine group as well 

 as the Old World, and even in the cold regions of North America a 

 representative of these animals may be found. This is the Canada 

 Lynx, commonly termed the "Peeshoo" by the French colonists, or 

 even dignified with the title of Le Chat. 



The hair of this animal is longer than that of its southern relatives, 

 and is g.';ierally of a dark gray, flecked or besprinkled with black. 

 Large and indistinct patches of the fur are of a sensibly darker tint 

 than tlie generality of its coat. Most of the hairs are white at their 

 extremities, which will account for the apparent changes in color which 

 will be seen even in the same species at different times. In some speci- 

 mens the fur takes a slight tinge of ruddy chestnut, the limbs are darker 

 than the rest of the body, and the ears are slightly tinged with white. 

 It is probable that the same individual undergoes considerable changes, 

 both in the color and length of its fur, according to the time of year. 



The limbs of this Lynx are very powerful, and the thick, heavily- 

 made feet are furnished with strong white claws that are not seen un- 



