ght to do in
Rome, he took a slide with them. The mosaic pictures, statues, and
monuments are almost numberless, and the pavement of colored marble
stretches away from the doors like a large polished field. Formerly, on
Easter and June 28, the dome, facade, and the colonnades of the
cathedral were illumined in the early evening by the light of between
four and five thousand lamps. It was called the silver illumination, and
is described as having been very grand and delicate. Suddenly, on a
given signal, four hundred men, stationed at their posts, exchanged the
lamps for lighted pitch in iron pans fastened to the ribs of the dome.
Then the dome shone afar as a splendid flaming crown of light.

[Illustration: TIRED OUT.--DRAWN BY A. B. FROST.]

THE LYNX.

An ugly and savage member of the great cat family is the lynx, a
creature very numerous in Canada and in the wild forests of our most
northern States. It is found all over Northern Europe as well, and in
Germany and Switzerland; a smaller variety, called the swamp lynx, is
also an inhabitant of Persia, Syria, and some portions of Egypt.

The Canada lynx is a beast about three feet long, with a short stubbed
tail, and might easily be mistaken for a large wild-cat. Its fur, which
is short and very thick, and of a beautiful silver gray, is much used
for muffs, tippets, and fur trimming. The lynx is a cowardly beast, and
seldom attacks anything larger than hares, squirrels, and birds. It will
sometimes rob a sheep-fold, as the gentle and pretty lambs have no means
of defense against its terrible claws.

It is very much hunted for its valuable fur, and some years thousands of
these beautiful skins are sent to market. The ears are very curious,
having a tuft of bristling hair on the very point; indeed, this ear
ornament is a distinguishing characteristic of all the varieties of the
lynx tribe.

[Illustration: LYNX TREED BY DOGS.]

The large and powerful dogs which are found in Canada and the northern
portions of Michigan, Minnesota, and other border States, where they are
used as train dogs to drag the mail sledges over vast wastes of snow
during the winter, are natural enemies of the lynx, and pursue it
furiously through the snow-bound forests. Their loud barking often
warns the hunter before he himself catches sight of the game that the
desired prize is treed, and awaits its fate, with arched back and fur
bristling, after the manner of an enraged cat.