THE LYNX. 15 



fur of the latter variety, and the rarity of the animal itself, 

 that a superior skin is worth as much as from 201. to 30^. 



Many of the remote forests, especially those on the 

 southern shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, are inhabited 

 by the Lynx, or, as it is generally called, Catamount — 

 Lyna; Canadensis. Naturalists are now inclined to return 

 to the opinion of Pennant, that the Ljoix of Northern 

 Europe and this are identical. Though rather a large 

 animal, measuring nearly three feet in length, with thick 

 and powerful looking legs, it is harmless and inoffensive, 

 and flies from man rather than face him ; nevertheless, 

 when brought to bay or met unexpectedly at close quarters 

 it will set up its back and spit like a cat. It is, however, 

 so easily killed, that an ordinarily severe blow with a stick 

 is sufficient to despatch it. 



Its appearance is too well known to need descrip- 

 tion : its disproportionately large hind-quarters, round 

 head, and long ears tipped with tufts of black hair, 

 being familiar to all. It varies a good deal in colour; 

 sometimes it is a hoary brown, at others nearly grey, 

 and often of different intermediate shades. The coat 

 is very thick and close, and the under hair lead 

 colour. The throat is white, and there are several very 

 dark marks through the whiskers and on the sides of 

 the neck. 



The Lynx is hunted chiefly for the sake of its skin. 



