TPIE CANADIAN L^ NX. 



Genus Lynx Kerr. 



Lijnx Kerr, Animal Kingdom, I, p. 155, 1792. 



Dental Formula.— I, Pm, M, ;i|=28. 



Generic characters. — Form rather stout and heavy; tail short; 

 teeth 28 instead of 30, as in Felis; ears pointed with tufts of long 

 hair. 



This genus, which resembles the typical cats (Felis) except in 

 the characters given above, is found in the northern part of ])()th 

 hemispheres. The species are commonly known as lynxes, wildcats 

 or ''bobcats," the latter name being given on account of the short 

 tail. About 15 species and subspecies, divided into two subgenera, 

 are known from North America. Two formerly existed in this 

 State. They can be distinguished as follows : 



Feet very large, twice as long as the tail; ear-tufts large; fur long and 

 loose. canadensis. 



Feet moderate, not miicli longer than the tail ; ear-tufts smaller ; fur 

 short and close. ruff us. 



LYNX CANADENSIS Kerr. 

 CANADA LYNX. Sometimes called " WILD CAT." 



Lynx canadensis Kerr, Animal Kingdom, I, p. 157, 1792. 



Evermann and Butler. Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci. for 1893, p. 138. 



Diagnostic characters. — The characters given in the key serve 

 to distinguish the species. 



Description. — Color light gray and dark brown, mingled so as 

 to give a somewhat mottled effect; under parts white; tail tipped 

 with black; ear tufts also blackish. The hair is exceedingly fine 

 and so long that it is very soft and yielding, tending to pack into 

 hard lumps when made into furs and robes ; the hair of the cheeks 

 is still longer and forms a sort of ruff about the broad rounded 

 head, which makes the animal look much more formidable than 

 it really is. The ear-tufts, which are about two inches in length, 

 add to this appearance. The densely furred, large feet serve as 

 snow shoes for the animal. 



Measurements. — The following are the measurements given by 

 Miller: Total length, 1,000 mm. (40 inches); tail, 100 mm. (4 

 in.) ; hind foot. 225 mm. (9 in.) ; breadth of front foot about 80 

 mm. (3 3/16 in.). 



Skull and teeth.— The skull is very })road and [)()werful as com- 

 pared with that of the bay lynx. 



