214 FAMILY FELIDjE; DOMESTIC CAT, LYNX. 



are its chief prey. The Wild Cat is found throughout all those 

 countries of Europe, in which extensive forests exist ; especially 

 in Germany, and in the wooded portions of Russia, Hungary, 

 and Northern Asia. It was at one time supposed, that the 

 Domestic Cat is a descendant of this wild species; but the 

 points of difference between them are such, as to render this idea 

 very improbable ; especially as the specimens, not unfrequently 

 to be met with, of Domestic Cats which have gone back to their 

 original wild life in the woods, do not exhibit any tendency to re- 

 turn to this form. There is a species of Wild Cat in Egypt, which 

 corresponds with the race that seems to have been domesticated 

 by the ancient Egyptians ; of this race, specimens are still pre- 

 served in the mummy state. To this species, our own Domestic 

 Cat has been referred by some naturalists ; whilst others think 

 that the origin of the race has yet to be discovered.* 



191. The Lynxes differ slightly from the other Felines, in 

 having the ears tufted with pencils of hairs, in the shortness of 



FIG. 105. COMMON LYNX. 



the tail, and in the greater elevation of the body at the haunches. 

 They are less courageous, as well as less domesticable, than the 

 other Felines; and show a sullen and suspicious disposition. 

 There are several species ; of which some inhabit Europe, others 

 Asia and Africa, and others America. They live upon small 



* See Bell's British Quadrupeds, p. 185. 



