46 CARNIVORA. 



skins have a shrivelled appearance, but the fur is soft, 

 pale and fine. 



These characteristic distinctions are only seen as a 

 whole ; the gradation from one district to another is very 

 gradual. 



All Lynx, with the exception of the Bay Lynx, will no 

 doubt interbreed freely, and their offspring prove fertile : 

 this is a sure way of proving whether it is a distinct 

 species or a mere local variety. 



The American or Canada Lynx, as it is sometimes 

 called, is a moderately-sized animal, about 4 feet long 

 and 2 feet high ; the fur along the back is about 1 inch 

 long, and is of a reddish-brown colour, intermixed with 

 longer silvery hairs ; in the centre of the back the hairs 

 are very abundant and there is little fur there ; this 

 corresponds to the ridge of hair in domestic Cat, Tiger, 

 etc. The upper part of under fur is reddish-brown, but 

 the ground is of a drab-blue colour ; the face is sur- 

 rounded by a fringe of several inches in length of long 

 coarse hair, black at base and white at extremity ; these 

 are more abundant under the chin, and gives the animal 

 a weird appearance. 



The tail is very short, about 2 or 3 inches long ; for 

 about two-thirds nearest the base the colour on upper part 

 is same colour as back, but lighter underneath ; the tip is 

 quite black. The ears are long and tufted with black hair. 



The fur on the belly is much longer and finer than on 

 the back ; it is soft, about 3 inches long, and white, with 

 faint dark spots appearing. 



Drab-coloured or blue varieties are very beautiful and 

 rare, and a few are taken every year ; light yellow or 

 fawn skins are very exceptional and rarely seen : we 

 have once seen a dark tabby Lynx, with deep large 

 spots on the back like a cat ; such incipient melanotic 



