96 
MAMMALIA. 
Fig. 34. — Felis Lynx. 
Lin.), twice the size of a large domestic Cat, and comparatively lower on the legs, is marked somewhat like the 
Jaguar, but with a tendency to a linking of the spots into longitudinal bands, more or less observable in different 
individuals.* F. Sumatranus and Bengalensis are not larger than a House-cat, but coloured like the foregoing ; 
though individuals commonly occur of the same greyish ground-tint as the majority of the smaller species. A 
beautiful European Cat, with the markings of the Leopard group, is the F. pardina, Oken, which inhabits the 
mountains of Spain ; its tail, however, is short, as in the following. There are many others]. 
Lynxes are short-tailed Cats, with mostly pencil-tufts to their ears, and fur generally spotted more or less dis- 
tinctly : those of cold countries have the fur long. 
A species little less than a Leopard (F. lynx, Lin.) 
still inhabits the mountainous parts of Europe, 
from Scandinavia to Spain and Naples, and, it is 
said, the north of Africa also. [Prof. Nilsson dis- 
tinguishes three large European species in Scan- 
dinavia, and figures different varieties of each.] 
The Canada Lynx is smaller, with very long fur, 
which extends even under the toes ; [it is allied 
to the Wild Cat of Britain. There are many 
others, some, as the Pampas Cat (F.pajeros) grad- 
ing into the next group. We can only notice 
a handsome short-haired species, the Caracal of 
Turkey and Persia, almost uniform bright vinous 
red; it is the true Lynx of the ancients. The 
Chati {F. Serval, F. Cuv.), an elegant spotted 
species, of slender form, and very high upon the 
legs, may be approximated to this group, and 
indeed has a moderately short and singularly 
mobile tail : it inhabits Africa. Allied to it is the Chati (F. mitis), a native of South America. 
Approaching the domestic Cat in size, colour, and markings, are also numerous species, among which the 
native Cat of Britain (fig. 35) may be particularized, distinguished by its tail not tapering as in the tame Cat; 
it is also larger, but with much shorter intestinal canal, though it is probable that the length of intestine in the 
common Cat may have been gradually induced by long-continued habituation to a less carnivorous regimen, 
operating through many successive generations. The domestic Cat is referred by Temminek to his F. maniculata, a 
species wild in Egypt ; but is probably a mingled race, derived from several distinct wild stocks : our author, in 
his last edition, referred it to the European Wild Cat, but subsequently retracted his opinion: the Angora variety 
of it is perhaps the most remarkable, being 
covered with long silky hair. Of the spotless 
species, may be mentioned] 
The Cougar, Puma, or pretended Lion of 
America {F. concolor, Lin.) (Fig. 36.)— Red [sil- 
very or greyish-red], with small spots of a 
slightly deeper colour, which are not easily per- 
ceived [nor always present in the adults, and a 
small black tuft at the end of the tail. Size 
nearly that of a Leopard], from both Americas, 
where it preys on Sheep, Deer, &c. [and has 
been known, though very rarely, to attack 
mankind. An allied species, redder, and with 
shorter tail, exclusively from South America, is 
known as F. unicolor; and there is a small 
species also very similar, the Eira of Azzara, 
the tail of which is not tufted. The Jaguarondi :■ 
is another from the same locality, of medium j 
size, altogether of a blackish-brown, more or* 
less dark, and rather low on the legs: and there is a deep reddish-brown Cat in India, scarcely larger than the 
Fig 35 — WiloCat. 
* As a warning against relying too much upon the proverbially 
uncertain temper of these eminently carnivorous animals, may be 
mentioned a fact which occurred not long ago in France. A gentleman 
had succeeded in taming an Ocelot, which for three years enjoyed 
the range of his house and garden as freely as a domestic Cat, 
appearing thoroughly reclaimed. One evening, however, at the fire- 
side, when a child of three years old was playing with it, as it had 
often done before, the animal, being irritated, seized the infant by 
the throat, and killed it before assistance could be rendered. An 
instance has occurred in this country of a babe being attacked by a 
tame Ferret. The Domestic Cat is undoubtedly more susceptible of 
attachment than it has been generally described ; and it is surprising 
to perceive how patiently it bears the rough handling of children. We 
have seen it hail the return of persons it knew with as lively joy as 
any animal could well testify, and this in the case of individuals who 
had never fed it : but it is understood, with what general truth may 
perhaps be questioned, that while the Dog will mourn and even pine 
to death over the body of its master, the Cat feels no compunction in 
making it its prey : it is needless to observe, however, that the intel- 
lect of the Cat is very much inferior to that of the Dog, on which 
account some allowance may be granted. 
With respect to the Domestic Cat, also, another consideration may 
be borne in mind, which is, that there can be little doubt that its 
nature has been considerably modified by domestication, which has 
gradually rendered it less exclusively carnivorous than its wild con 
geners. It is even remarkable that instances of the rapacity of this 
animal towards young children are not of frequent occurrence.— Ed, 
