244 THE COMMON EUROPEAN LYNX. 



The usual length of the. common lynx is about four feet 

 and a half from the nose to the rump, or five feet including 

 the tail 3 and its height one foot and four inches. The fur 

 is long, thick, and soft, of a grayish ash colour on the upper 

 parts, with a reddish tinge, marked with dusky spots, which 

 differ much according to the age of the animal, as sometimes 

 they are scarcely visible ; and the under parts are white. The 

 legs and feet are thick, short, and strong, covered with long 

 fur; and the tail black at its extremity. The ears are erect, 

 and have a long tuft of black hairs at the tip ; and the eyes 

 are of a pale yellow, and have nothing extraordinary about 

 their appearance to give the slightest support to the assertions 

 of the ancients,* namely, that their lynx could see through a 

 stone wall or a rock with the utmost ease, and without the 

 use of spectacles. 



Lynxes conceal themselves in thick forests, prey upon stags, 

 roebucks, sheep, hares, and other animals 5 and climb with 

 facility up the highest trees to capture birds and squirrels. 



In captivity they are remarkably irritable and mistrustful, 

 and are seldom thoroughly tamed. 



The softness and warmth of the fur renders it a valuable 

 and extensive article of commerce. 



* The caracal (Felis Caracal, Linn), a native of most of the warmer climates 

 of Africa and Asia, is the lynx of the ancients. The lynx of the moderns (F. 

 Lynx, Linn.) was quite unknown to the Greeks, though not to the Romans, 

 who distinguished it by a totally different name. 



