THE LYNX. 



fubjecT: to great variety, and the farther north this animal is bred, the fur is 

 proportionably whiter, and the fpotsare more diftincl:. It becomes the 

 more valuable on this account. The fkin of the moil elegant variety, which 

 is called the Irbys, and is taken near the Lake Balckafli, in Ufbec Tartary, 

 fells in that country for one pound fterling. The ikin of the male is more 

 fpotted than that of the female. The furs of thefe animals are much 

 efteemed for their warmth and foftnefs, and great numbers of them are 

 imported from North America and the northern parts of Europe and Alia. 



The afpecl: of the Lynx is conliderably lefs lavage than that of the 

 Panther or Ounce ; the eyes are of a pale yellow, and furrounded by a circle 

 of white hair; the hair under the chin is long and full ; the legs and feet are 

 very thick and ftrong. 



The Lynx brings forth two or three young ones at a litter: it is very 

 long lived : it climbs trees in purfuit of its prey, which it follows to the 

 extremity of the branches. It feeds on Weafels, Ermines, and Squirrels, 

 which are unable to efcape from it. Like the Glutton, it lies concealed on 

 the lower branches of a large tree, watching the approach of the Fallow 

 Deer, Hare, and other animals, on which it darts, feizing them by the throat, 

 when it fucks their blood, and then leaving the carcafe untouched, goes in 

 fearch of other game. It will not attack mankind. Its light is very quick 

 and penetrating, and it diftinguilhes its prey at a great diftance. It feldom 

 eats more of a Goat or a Sheep than the liver, brain, and inteftines ; and, 

 like the Wolf, will fometimes dig under the threfhold of the door, to gain 

 admiffion into the fheepfold. 



When the Lynx is attacked by a Dog, it lies down on its back, linking 

 defperately with all its claws, and often obliges its enemy to retire. 



It howls fo like the Wolf, that, when heard at a diftance, it is eafily 

 miftaken for that animal. 



The Lynx inhabits the vail forefts of the north of Europe, Alia, and 

 America ; but it is not found in India, notwithstanding the poets have 

 harnefled them to the chariot of Bacchus, when he conquered that country: 

 it even prefers cold climates to thofe which are temperate. 



