Quadrupeds. 7769 



A popular Treatise on the Fur-hearing Animals of the Mackenzie 

 River District. By Bernard Rogan Ross, C.T.* 



In submitting the following treatise to the notice of the Natural 

 History Society of Montreal, I will, previously to entering on my 

 subject, mark out the extent of country to which only my remarks 

 apply. 



A residence of thirteen years in this district, during the greatest 

 part of which I have been a not unsuccessful trapper, has afforded me 

 many opportunities of observation upon the nature and habits of the 

 various fur-bearing animals inhabiting these high northern latitudes. 

 I have throughout studied accuracy rather than effect, and the style of 

 ray remarks is doubtless rather popular than scientific ; yet the hope 

 that my humble endeavours may perchance clear one doubtful point, 

 or illustrate some new truth, has lightened my labour, and will, if such 

 should in reality happen, prove an ample recompense for my toil. 



The boundaries of the Mackenzie River district may be considered 

 to extend from Salt River, a tributary of the Slave to the Arctic Sea, 

 and from 100° W. long, to the Rocky Mountains. 



I cannot here omit mentioning the aid which I have received, in the 

 scientific parts of the treatise, from the splendid, complete, and 

 accurate work of Professor Baird on North American Mammals. 

 The general characteristics of families are quoted verbatim from his 

 work. 



Lynx canadensis. Size between that of a fox and wolf. Tail 

 thickly furred, shorter than the head and tipped with black. Paws 

 densely covered with hair, and armed with strong claws. Colour in 

 winter a silver gray on the back, paling towards the belly, which is 

 sometimes white ; a rufous under shade mixes with tints. The ears 

 are pointed, not large, and tipped with a pencil of long black hairs. 

 Whiskers generally white. Length from the tip of the nose to the tip 

 of the tail about 3 feet. Average weight about 25 lbs. 



This species is the largest of the North American lynxes, and is the 

 only one found in the Mackenzie River district. It is called by the 

 "winterers" indifferently either "lynx cat," "loup cervier " or "pichen." 

 In appearance it is rather formidable ; its teeth are long and sharp, 

 while its powerful claws and immense spring render it a dangerous 



* Presented lo the Natural History Society of Montreal, and published-«n the 

 'Canadian Naturalist,' Vol. vi. No. 1. 



XIX. 3 p 



