l,"/(; DIVISKJN I. VERTEBRAL AKIMALS. — CLAJSS I. ]\L\5IJIALIA. 



cnpal)le of nttacking niiy of the Inrge (|iia(.lrupc(ls, Imt well armed for the 

 capture of the American hare, on which it chietly preys. It makes, Dr. 

 Tlichartlson observes, a poor figlit when it is surprised hy a hunter on a 

 tree, for thougli it spits like a cat, and sets its hair up, it is easily destroyed 

 by a blow on the back witii a slender stick. It never attacks a man. It 

 swims well, and will cross a ri^er or lake two miles in width ; but its move- 

 ments are slow and awkward on the land. It breeds once a year, and has 

 two young at a time. Tiie natives eat its flesh, which is white and tender, 

 but without flavor. The 15av Lynx (L. >•»/«.<) inhabits the banks of Co- 

 lumbia Kiver, United >Statcs, and is distinguished for its very long fur. Its 

 color is grayish-brinvn, with a darker dorsal stripe; the neck and sides arc 

 of a pule chestnut, varied with short transverse stri[ies of blackish brown. 

 'The r>AXDED Lynx {L. Jasviafa) inhabits the woody countries bordering 

 on the Pacific Ocean. It is of a reddish-brown color, irregidaily varied with 

 small spots of dark brown, and upon the back banded with black stripes. 

 The jNIexican Lynx {L. VKic/tlidn) is a native of Mexico, of a reddish- 

 gray color above, very dark upon the back ; white below, blotched with 

 brown. The limijs are spotted with bi'own, and the tail, which is black at 

 the ti[), is marked with three or four alternate black and white bands. The 

 EuKoi'EAN Lynx {L. Iijnx) has very long fur, of a dull reddish-gray 

 color above, marked upon the sides with oblong spots of reddish- brown ; 

 the lower parts are white, clouded with black mottlings. This lynx is nearly 

 as large as a leopard, and inhabits the mountainous parts of Europe, from 

 iScandinavia to Naples. It is found also in the north of Africa. It is said, 

 we believe on the authority of Professor Xilsson, that there are three other 

 large species in Scandinavia, but they are apparently not well known to 

 naturalists. 



"\Mth the lynxes the great family of the Felinre closes. 



The remaining I)i<jil!<ifi(de animals are comprised in the following group, 

 which is separated into three genera : — 



THE BIUSTELIDiE. 



The animals composing this familj' have a short, obtuse muzzle, and on 

 either side in each jaw one true molar, the upper being well developed and 

 transverse. The false molars are six above and eight below, jiany tif 

 them are valuable for their fur ; Ijut all are generally regarded with disgust 

 on account of the extremely ofiensive, fetid odor they emit when excited. 



Genu.s JMrs'i'ELA. There are numerous species. 



The FiTCiiET, or Polecat (il/. pulorius). — This animal is well 

 known in Eiu'ope, but is not found in America. It is about twenty-one 

 inches in length, and is distinguished for its very offensive odor. The 



