THE LYNX. 357 



those of the Old World, in Europe they are compared to 

 a wolf in size, and in Canada, to a wild cat. 



The lynx has short legs, and is generally about the size 

 of the fox. The ears are erect, and are tipped with a 

 long pencil of black hair. The fur, which is long and 

 thick, is of a pale gray color, with a reddish tinge, and ob- 

 scurely marked with small dusky spots on the upper parts 

 of the body. The under parts are white. The skin of 

 the male is more beautifully marked than that of the 

 female. It does not walk or run like the wolf in a pro- 

 gressive motion, but leaps and bounds like the cat. It 

 gains'its sole subsistence by devouring other animals ; and 

 these it will follow to the very tops of trees. Neither can 

 the wild cat, the marten, the ermine, nor the squirrel, es- 

 cape its pursuit. It also seizes birds, lies in wait for the 

 stag, the roebuck, and the hare, and with one bound often 

 seizes them by the throat. When in possession of its prey, 

 it first sucks the blood of the animal, and then lays open 

 its head, in order to devour the brains. This done, it gen- 

 erally abandons the victim of its fury, goes in search of 

 fresh prey, and is seldom known to return to the former ; 

 a circumstance which has given rise to the vulgar remark, 

 that of all animals, the lynx has the shortest memory. 

 The skin of this- animal changes its color according to the 

 season and climate. In winter it is in every respect bet- 

 ter than it is in summer ; and its flesh, like the flesh of all 

 beasts of prey, is not proper to eat. 



CANADA LYNX. 



This is the only species of the genus which exists north 

 of the Great Lakes, and eastward of the Rocky Mountains. 

 It is rare on the sea-coast, and does not frequent the Bar- 

 ren Grounds, but it is not uncommon in the woody districts 

 of the interior, since from seven to nine thousand are annu- 

 ally procured by the Hudson's Bay Company. It is found 



