ORDEE, OF CAENIVOEA. 



385 



The Greeks consecrated it to Bacchus, and Pliny has debited to 

 its credit several absurd stories. Among others, he endows it 

 with the faculty of seeing through walls ; hence the expression 

 Lijnx-cyed, which is adopted in our language to designate very 

 keen vision. 



After these two varieties we will mention the Marsh Lynx, so 

 named in consequence of its habits, which are quite exceptional 



Fig. 150. — Marsh Lynx. 



among the FelinEB. This animal inhabits the Caucasus and 

 Eastern Africa, and is essentially aquatic. It delights in water, 

 swims well, pursues marsh birds, and even dives for fish. 



We will say nothing of the American Lynxes, as their habits 

 do not present any remarkable peculiarity. 



The Cheetah {Gucparda jahata). — The Cheetah or Hunting 

 Leopard forms the transition between the Felinte and Canina, or, 

 in other terms, between the Dog and Cat. By its physical 

 organisation and its character it belongs, in fact, to both these 

 classes. It has weak, non-retractile claws, which are unfitted for 

 tearing purposes ; but in its dentition it unmistakably shows its 

 afiinity to the Cat family. Its limbs are also longer, the vertebral 

 column is less flexible, and the body more slender than that of the 

 other Felina), from whence results a greater aptitude for hunting. 

 Its tail is curled over on itself at the extremity, a disposition 

 very common in Dogs, but which is not observed in the Felmae. 

 Its mildness, obedient temper, and attachment in domesticity, 

 naturally define its place on the confines of the Feline and the 

 Canine family. 



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