THE STORY OF THE LYNX. 
In my various travels I have met and studied no less than twenty species of 
lynx. The true lynx, that makes its home in Europe and northern Africa, is 
the best representative of the general class, but the American species have 
many similar characteristics. 
The body is always marked with small black spots during the summer. In 
some instances, perhaps in young animals only, these spots continue during 
the winter. This, however, appears to occur only among the lynxes of 
Europe; those of Asia having the winter dress without spots, except on the 
flanks and limbs, while they may be also wanting there. The hairs of the 
fur vary in color in different parts of their length, and are tipped with black. 
The ears are gray on the outsides, with black margins, tips, and tufts. Occa¬ 
sionally the under-parts of the body are spotted. The length of a full-grown 
lynx is thirty-three inches, exclusive of the tail, which measures only seven 
and three-quarters inches; but the length of the head and body may be upwards 
of forty inches. 
When taken young, the lynx can be easily tamed. I saw a full-grown 
tame Thibetan lynx in the possession of the governor of Ladak, in Leh, 
and another in Calcutta. Both specimens were very playful, although the 
former would occasionally be somewhat too free with its claws. It displayed 
marvellous agility in capturing the half-wild pigeons which abound in Leh. 
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