54 ZOOLOGY. 
know in what manner these systems are modified in the supposed 
hybrid; the living animal could readily be examined as to its 
dentition (the number of the molar teeth and their characteristics), 
the feet (whether digitigrade or plantigrade and whether tetra- 
dactyle or pentadactyle), the head (whether ` abbreviated and. 
cat-like, reflecting the diminished number of teeth, or whethe 
prolonged into an attenuated muzzle), and especially the charac- 
ter of the snout, whiskers, the claws, the tail and the pelage. 
The very vague information that has been furnished respecting 
the form, walk, tail and pelage is very insufficient, and conveys 
‘no clear idea as to the animal’s peculiarities. No clear idea, er 
ther, is obtained by the mere reader from the statement that “the 
- animal when taken up by the tail, turned upon the aggressor wit 
a fury far beyond that of a common cat.” Although my experi- 
ence with cats under such conditions has been limited, I canno 
conceive how more fury can be manifested than I have seen pe 
hibited by one cat when subjected to such an interesting experi- 
ment. A clue is indeed furnished by the opening paragraph 
Col. Higginson’s remarks, namely, that the animal ‘struck [him 
at first as being the handsomest cat [he] had ever. beheld,” 
after this significant admission, it is more than probable that ba 
characters would only require to be contrasted with those of 
ordinary cat. It may be added that the wild cat (Lyng rufus) 
has “pointed and tufted ears” (which the raccoon has not) and 
hybridity between a domestic cat and lynx would not be im 
able.* My acquaintance with you, Messrs. Editors, assures’ 
that you must have entertained considerable doubt respecting © 
reliability of such an account, although you have made no © 
ments, and you would confer a boon on science if you would procul 
a photograph—not a drawing which might reflect, unintenti ; 
ally, the imagination of the artist—of the animal in quest®” 
Until better evidence than has yet been brought forward is 
ered, naturalists will not only be excused for doubting any 
hybridity, but would be inexcusable for not doubting it, and 
gentlemen will, I doubt not, concur in this sentiment. 
* It is, of course, not suggested that the animal in question i necessarily a hybrid 
all, much less between the cat and lynx; the character of the tail alone 
origin highly improbable; it is merely intended to indicate within wh 
might be credible. 
