50 
ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
near the Catskill mountains, N. Y. At the foot of a large 
hill, they agreed to go round it in opposite directions, and 
when either discharged his rifle, the other was to hasten 
towards him to aid him in securing the game. Soon after 
parting, the report of a rifle was heard by one of them, who 
hastening to the spot, after some search, found nothing but 
the dog, dreadfully lacerated and dead. He now became 
much alarmed for the fate of his companion, and while anx- 
iously looking round, was horror struck by the harsh growl 
of a catamount, which he perceived on a large limb of a tree, 
crouching upon the body of his friend, and apparently medi- 
tating an attack upon himself. Instantly he levelled his rifle 
at the beast, and was so fortunate as to wound it mortally, 
when it fell to the ground along with the body of his slaughtered 
companion. His dog then rushed upon it, but with one blow 
of his paw it laid the poor creature dead by its side. It was 
finally despatched with great difficulty.” The cougar is fast 
disappearing ; though a severer winter than usual in Canada, 
brings it about the settlements sufficiently to show what mis- 
chief it could be capable of inflicting, if numerous. 
The Northern Lynx (. Delis Canadensis) is found in 
both Asia and America. 
Description . — Slim in form ; ears acute, and more or less 
tufted ; tail short ; timid ; moves by a succession of leaps, 
alighting on all four feet at once ; color uniform reddish 
This is a fierce and subtle 
animal, but fearful of man. It 
seldom approaches settlements, 
preferring the plains and woods of 
the wilderness. It is found in 
great abundance in the Hudson 
Bay territory, and all the north- 
ern parts of America ; whence as 
many as eight thousand of its skins have been exported in one 
