130 



last, when getting neav the cleai-ance, he head the sound of waggon 

 wheels ; and fancying that the attentions of the panther were becoming 

 aggressive, he uttered a loud scream, and I he animal bounded away in- 

 to the darkness. When the waggon arrived at the spot, the driver 

 found the terrified farmer scarcely able to speak. 



I have not quoted the foregoing intei-esting incidents as positive 

 facts in natural history ; but I imagine that there must be some reason- 

 able foundation for nan-atives of the kind, or they would be unlikely to 

 appear so fiequently as they do. You are all acquainted with th^ 

 beautiful story of the Roman Slave Androcles, and the Lion, and a 

 most affecting tale it is, au'l perhaps, strictly true. If true, it speaks 

 volumes for the almost rational gratitude of the king of the beasts. 

 I have read, also, of a certain class of Asiatic priests who kept tame 

 tigers which followed around like dogs, and were perfectly docile and 

 harmless. The Cheetar {Fel'is jnhata), the hunting leopard of India, 

 . forms a strong link in the chain of evidence, which goes to prove that 

 many savage animals are susceptible of an educational transformation, 

 which, in a great measure, neutralizes their supposed natural pro- 

 pensities. The Ounce, the American Leopard, and Panther, the Bengal 

 Tiger and the South American Jaguar are untamable. Even the 

 beautiful little Ocelot is not quite as tractable as a domestic cat. 



From its length of body, strength of limbs, and litheness of form, 

 the cougar is naturally possessed of immense muscular power and 

 agility. These qualities are peculiarly requisite to enable it make the 

 the sudden and swift rushes with which it suprises and captures its 

 prey. Although a rapid and expert climber, it would appear, according 

 to Morriam, that the cougar is not generally given to ascending trees. 

 It was, however', supposed, and commonly believed, at one time, that 

 its attack was usually made from some elevation, or from the over- 

 hanging branch of a tree. James Fennimore Coopei", in his famous 

 and inimitable " Leather-Slocking Talcs," which, as graphic pictures 

 of Indian and hunter's life, and savage warfare are, sui generis, the 

 most intensely interesting narratives ever written gives many strange 

 and attractive accounts, which woirld lead, more or less, to the belief 

 that the panther-, or " painter," is a much strouge)-, and a much _more 

 formidable animal than he really is. ^^^^^S^Al ^ 



