Felid^. — ^ — MAMMALIA. Felid^. 113 
length. The Chaus is not very easily tamed. The 
Booted lynx — Felis caligata of Olivier — appears to be 
identical with it. In the catalogue of specimens pre- 
served in the British Museum it is designated Chaus 
Lyhicus. 
THE EUEOPEAN LYNX {Fells Lynx).— There are 
several forms of Lynx, regarded by some as so many 
distinct .species, which are only varieties of this type. 
Among these may he mentioned the Felis virgata of 
Nilsson; the F. cervaria of Temminck, being an Asiatic 
form ; and perhaps also the F. pardina of Oken, found 
in Spain and southern Europe. The European lynx 
is about three feet long, not including the short tail, 
which measures six inches. The fur is long, rough, 
and of a rufous-grey colour above, the under parts of 
the throat and belly being more or less white. The 
sides are indistinctly marked with oblong spots, and the 
free end of the tail is tipped with black. The ears are 
hairy, and pencilled at the upper part ; the limbs stout, 
and comparatively short. During the winter season 
the general colour of the fur is much lighter than in 
summer, while it is also considerably longer. The 
European lynx is a good climber, feeding principally 
on small mammalia and birds. 
THE CANADA LYNX {Felis Canadensis) was formerly 
supposed to be only a variety of the above, but it is 
now generally believed to be distinct. In respect of size, 
colouring, and other characters of the fur, it very closely 
resembles the -European species. The body is rather 
more than three feet in length, exclusive of the tail, which 
measures only four and a half inches. For an accurate 
account of this animal’s habits we are indebted to Sir 
John Richardson, who remarks that “ it is a timid 
creature, incapable of attacking any of the larger qua- 
drupeds; but well armed for the capture of the American 
hare, on which it chiefly preys. Its large paws, slender 
loins, and long but thick hind legs, with large buttocks, 
scarcely relieved by a short thick tail, give it an 
awkward, clumsy appearance. It makes a poor fight 
when it is surprised by a hunter in a tree; for though 
it spits like a cat, and sets its hair up, it is easily 
destroyed by a blow on the back with a slender stick, 
and it never attacks a man. Its gait is by bounds, 
straightforward, with the back a little arched, and 
lighting on all the feet at once. It switns well, and 
will cross the arm of a lake two miles wide ; but it is 
not swift on land. It breeds once a year, and has two 
young at a time.” We are further informed that the 
natives eat its flesh, and that from seven to nine thou- 
sand skins are annually exported by the Hudson’s Bay 
Company. In Dr. Gray’s catalogue this species is 
designated Lyncus Canadensis. 
THE CAKACAL {Felis Caracal) is also a kind of 
lynx, having a wide geographical range, and extending 
not only over Africa, but, according to Mr. Bennett and 
others, over southern Asia, as far eastward as the 
Ganges. The body is about thirty-four inches in 
length, excluding the tail, which measures other nine 
inches. The fur exhibits a uniform rufous-brown colour 
generally, growing paler from above downwards, and 
becoming white immediately underneath the throat, 
neck, and belly. On each half of the face are placed 
two pure white spots, one being situated above and to 
Von. I. 15 
the inside of the eye, the other occurring beneath the 
outer angle of this organ. The ears are comparatively 
long, “ tapering gradually to a fine tip, surmounted by 
a pencil of long black hairs,” which are dark ext(!rnal]y, 
and whitish within. Like other species of lynx, the 
Caracal is a good climber, and feeds chiefly on small 
mammalia and birds. It is said also to feed on the 
carcasses of larger quadrupeds, which have been for- 
saken by lions. The Caracal is proportionably strong, 
savage, and ofily tamed with difficulty. According to 
Mr. Andersson, the fur is much esteemed by the natives 
of southern Africa for making carosses, &c., while the 
Dutch settlers employ it as a local application in rheu- 
matism. In Dr. Gray’s list this species is termed 
Caracal melanotis. 
THE OUNCE {Felis Undo). — Since the naturalist 
Buffon gave an accurate description of this animal, 
some authorities have disputed its claims to be regarded 
as a separate species. It is, however, quite distinct, 
and in the language of Dr. Gray, “easily known by 
the thickness of its fur, the paleness of its colour, the 
irregular form of the spots, and especially by the great 
length and thickness of the tail.” In the form of this 
last-named organ, we observe a wide departure from 
the peculiarly short stumpy condition of the tail in the 
lynxes ; justifying perhaps, when taken into considera- 
tion with other minor characters, their generic separa- 
tion — a view which several naturalists have practically 
adopted. The Ounce is about the size of the common 
leopard, and has similar habits. It is a native of the 
mountainous districts of central Asia. In the list of 
feline mammals presented in our national collection, it 
is denominated Leopardus Uncia. 
THE LEOPARD {Felis Leopardus). — Most naturalists 
have arrived at the conclusion, that the Leopard and 
Panther are one and the same animal ; we say arrived, 
but it would be more just to state, that they have finally 
acknowledged the opinion of Linnceus on this point to 
be coixect, after having over and over again disputed 
his authority. The Leopard is truly a beautiful species 
(fig. 34). The ground colour of the fur has a pale 
yellow tint, the surface being marked at tolerably regular 
intervals by dark patches made up of numerous small 
round spots, blended together in the form of annidations 
surrounding a central clear space, the general tint within 
being deeper than the ground colour without. The 
Leopard is widely distributed in Africa, Asia, and the 
Indian Archipelago. Its habits are essentially cat-like, 
and, being an expert climber, the Indian natives call 
it the Tree-tiger or Lachree bang. Unlike the tiger, it 
is said that nothing will induce it to take to the water. 
Leopards are remarkably deceitful, shy, and ravenous, 
the utmost caution being necessary in any attempt to 
domesticate them. Their treacherous disposition has 
been illustrated in various ways, especially by Captain 
Williamson, who, amongst other things, relates the 
following incident: — “The adjutant of our regiment, 
wishing to send a leopard as a present to a friend in 
England, procured a very fine cub, which had scarcely 
opened its eyes, and took every })ains to rear it in such 
a manner as might obviate all apprehension. For 
some months the animal appeared as innocent as a 
kitten, was playful, and seemed to be peculiarly tract- 
