114 TRAPPING AND WOOD-CRAFT. 



his habitation. A trap set in this, will be almost sure of 

 him. He will rise at midnight to paddle in the water, though 

 the temperature stands at zero. Hence his Latin generic 

 name of " Lotor." 



I think that a live chicken is the best bait possible for the 

 wild cat, and also for all feline animals. Fresh, bloody meat, 

 however, of any description, is very enticing. 



Till lately I have strongly adhered to the opinion that a 

 " Black Lynx " was " dyed in the wool " — after death. Re- 

 cent researches have almost made me doubt. I have received 

 assurances from men whom I think reliable, that there is, or 

 has lately been, such an animal in existence. How it could 

 have escaped the sharp eyes of our naturalists, I cannot im- 

 agine. It is represented as being of large size, almost as 

 large as the black bear ; in form and general habits resem- 

 bling the ordinary Canada lynx ; but is said to be as fe- 

 rocious as the Canada lynx is timid. The hair is said to be 

 thick, long and shaggy, and as black as Erebus. It is also 

 said to have great local attachments, never leaving the im- 

 penetrable wilderness of swamp which it inhabits. The In- 

 dians have many wild and curious legends or traditions which 

 perhaps refer to this animal. He is doubtless — if he exists 

 — the '^ Lurixus" or devil of the Indians of Maine. The 

 " Black Lynx " is said to be able to throw a full grown sheep 

 across his shoulders and make off with ease. " All the beasts 

 of the wilderness dread him, and man himself cares not to in- 

 vade the retired fastnesses of the gloomy forests where he 

 rules absolute monarch." 



Our backwoodsmen are almost as remarkable for their 

 ." yarns " as Jack Tar, and they are generally about as reliable. 

 Did you ever see the pelt of a " Black Lynx," or of any 

 other similar dark-colored animal ? It must be a myth.* 



The offensive smell of skunk, may be removed from clothes 



* Your " Black Lj-nx " is probably the wolverene, modified and exaggerated by 

 the imaginations of the trappers or hunters who caught a glimpse of it. The wol- 

 verene is the Indian Devfl, and is so called by the Indians of British America. It is 

 a very troublesome, sagacious, and destructive animal to the trappers, in the wilds 

 ■where it dwells, but most of the extraordinary stories told of it are probably 

 "yarns " like those formerly related by trappers of the beaver. — Editobs. 



