THE CARACAL. 75 



tolerably common within the last fifty years ; and in the forests of Thuringia, only two have been 

 found during the present century. 



The Lynx, when caught young, is said to be quite tameable, but the domesticated animal is liable 

 to die of over-fatness. Its flesh is eaten in Siberia, and even in Switzerland, but as usual with its 

 tribe, the skin is the part on which the greatest value is set. It has a very beautiful hide, and in 

 Siberia, where the greatest value is obtained, each one costs from twenty to fifty francs on the spot. 

 " The skin of the fore -feet is sold separately ; they are cut off, and fetch from ten to fifteen francs :i 

 pair. A Lynx skin is worth three of the Sable, six of the Wolf, twelve of the Fox, and a hundred of 

 the Squirrel." 



There are some differences as to size, &c., between the Lynxes found in Scandinavia and those 

 inhabiting Central Europe. These are sometimes separated as distinct species, the former being then 

 called Felis borealis, the other F. cervaria ; the latter is the larger of the two. 



THE PARDINE LYNX.* 



This animal takes the place of the common kind in Southern Europe, being especially abundant 

 in Spain, where its range just overlaps that of its relative. 



It is somewhat smaller than the Common Lynx not more than thirty-two inches long. Its skin 

 is of a beautiful rufous tint, regularly spotted with black, the spots extending over the tail, and the red 

 colour merging into white on the under surface. 



THE CANADIAN LYNX.f 



This species (see figure, p. 73) replaces the European variety in North America, where it is 

 especially abundant in the Rocky Mountains and in Canada. 



It is about the same size as the Common Lynx. Its fur is shorter but thicker. The hairs on the 

 back are darker, the points being ringed with grey and brown ; those of the flanks are grey at the root, 

 reddish- white at the extremity. It has the reputation of being a very lazy beast, and far less ferocious 

 and more cowardly than its cousins of the Old World. 



THE RED LYNX.J 



The Red Lynx is found in the United States, from the Pacific to the Atlantic. It differs but 

 little in structure or habit from the species we have already described. 



Its skin, as well as that of the Canadian kind, is a very important article of commerce. 



THE CARACAL. 



This is the handsomest of the Lynxes (see figure on previous page), both on account of its elegant 

 shape, and of its fine colour, which is a uniform reddish-brown or light chestnut, unspotted or very 

 sparsely spotted in the adult, but showing distinct spots in the young. It is found in India, Persia, 

 Arabia, and Tibet, and also throughout Africa. Its length varies from twenty-six to thirty inches, 

 the tail measures nine or ten, and the height sixteen or eighteen inches. The ears are fully three 

 inches long, black externally, white within, with a long dark ear-tuft. 



Unlike the other Lynxes, the Caracal is made use of as a hunting animal, being occasionally 

 trained to stalk the Peafowl, Hares, Kites, Crows, Cranes, &c. It is, however, a most savage animal 

 in captivity. The specimen in the London Zoological Gardens seems to be in a permanent state of ill- 

 temper. If the American Lynx, which is unfortunate enough to live in the same cage with him, dares 

 to come " betwixt the wind and his nobility," or even if he, in the course of his peregrinations, should 

 by chance get sufficiently near his companion to be annoyed with the sight of so vulgar a beast, he 

 immediately arches his back, lays back his ears, uncovers his great canines, and swears in the most 

 fearful manner, until the other unlucky animal is quite cowed, and looks as meek as its feline 

 nature will allow it, evidently deprecating the anger of my lord, and although not conscious of having 

 done wrong, quite ready to promise faithfully never to do it again. 



* Felis pardina. f Fdis canadeneis, + Felis rufa. Felis caracal. 



