OIU)ER V. THE C.VEXIVORA. 15.5 



blinds ]ui(l Ijccn opened every morning hv the cat. After tlii.s slic learned 

 to open all the door.s by turning the handles or knobs, and when they were 

 bolted, Wduhl turn and twist the handle until she attracted our attention. 

 She ■was also very fond of music, and when I played on the piano, would 

 jump on the top of the case and give her whole attention to the piece. 

 AMicn she was alone in the room, and the piano was open, she would walk 

 up and down on the keys for five or ten minutes, seeming to enjoy the 

 nmsic she made." 



Gf.nus Lvxciius. TliG Lynxes. — The lynxes are short-tailed cats, 

 with pencil tufts to their cars (see Plate XIII.), and fur distinguished 

 b_y a great variety' of markings. It lias been said that these animals were 

 kept and trained by the ancients for hunting ; but, if such were the fact, 

 they must have degenerated in a most remarkable manner, as they now 

 possess no instincts nor sagacity which woulil qualify them f )r a use of this 

 kind. Even the caracal — the true lynx of the ancients — shows no capacity 

 for any considerable degree of education. There are twelve or thirteen 

 species, and we have no knowledge that any indi\idual of eitlicr has ever 

 been even tolerably tamed. As they olfcr no points of peculiar interest, we 

 shall pass them by with a brief description. 



The L. anneal is an inhabitant of Africa and South-eastern Asia. Its 

 color on the upper parts is vinous, reddish-brown, shading into white upon 

 the breast and belly ; ears very long, with tufts of hair at the tips. It feeds 

 on small animals and birds ; the latter it pursues upon trees with great 

 activity. Allied to the above is the golden caracal (L. (inr<(t<i). The 

 ears of this species are without tufts. The color is a bright yellowish red 

 above, reddish-white below, and white upon the throat. The L. chell- 

 de>ffax/er is an inliabilant of Chili, of a gray color, spotted with cliocolate- 

 brown. The lioOTED Lynx (L. eallyida) is a native of Africa and Southern 

 India, of a bluish-gray color, tinged with reddish on the lower parts. The 

 leg is black from the heel to tlie first joint, which in appearance somewhat 

 resembles a boot, whence the name. The Black-footeu Cat ( L. nii/ripes) 

 is a native of South Africa, of a light-brown ochre color, marked with long- 

 black patches; has the tail spotted and feet black. The Chaus (L. e/zaus) 

 is a native of North Africa, of a deep yellowish-brown upon the back; 

 yellower below, the tail is black at the tip, and marked with three or four 

 alternate rings of black and white. It dwells in marshy and boggy regions, 

 and on the banks of ri\'ers ; hunts during the night, its prey ijcing birds, 

 small gnawing animals, and fishes. The Canada Ly.xx (X. C'lUKaleti.sis') 

 inhabits Canada ; has the fiu' very long in the winter ; brownish-gray above, 

 pure white below ; tail tipped with black. It is a timid creature, in- 



