144 THE JAGUAR. 



In the first place, the tail is rather short in proportion to the size of its owner, and, when 

 the animal stands upright, only just sweeps the ground with its tip. Across the breast of the 

 Jaguar are drawn two or three bold black streaks, which are never seen in the leopard, and 

 which alone serve as an easy guide to the species. The spots, too, with which its fur is 

 so liberally studded, are readily distinguishable from those of the leopard by their shape and 

 arrangement. The leopard spots are rosette-shaped, and their outlines are rounded, whereas 

 those of the Jaguar are more angular in their form. But the chief point of distinction is 

 found in a small mark that exists in the centre of the dark spots which cover the body and 

 sides. In many instances, this central mark is double, and, in order to give room for it, the 

 rosettes are veiy large in proportion to those of the leopard. Along the spine runs a line, 

 or chain, of black spots and dashes, extending from the back of the head to the first foot, 

 or eighteen inches, of the tail. 



The color is not quite the same in all specimens. Many Jaguar skins have an exceedingly 

 rich depth of tinting, and are very highly valued, being worth rather more than fifteen dollars. 

 They are chiefly used for military purposes, such as the coverings of officers' saddles in certain 

 cavalry regiments. Sometimes, a black variety of the Jaguar is fcnuid, its color being precisely 

 similar to that of the Black Leopard, mentioned before. 



The whole fur seems to take the tint of the dark spots, while the spots themselves are just 

 marked by a still deeper hue. Probably, the cause of this curious difference in tint may be, 

 that in the blood of the individual Jaguar there exists a larger quantity than usual of iron, 

 which metal, as is well known, is found to form one of the constituents of blood. It can be 

 extracted in the metallic form, and resembles very fine sand. In the human blood, late 

 researches have discovered that the blood of the negro is peculiarly rich in iron, and it seems 

 but reasonable that a similar cause will account for the very great variation in the leopard's 

 and Jaguar's fur. 



This beautiful animal is familiar to us through the medium of many illustrated works on 

 natural history, and also on account of the numerous species which have been transmitted to 

 this country. One of these creatures, which was taken to England by Captain Inglefield, 

 and placed in the collection of the Zoological Gardens, was so gentle and docile, that it directly 

 controverted the once popular notion that the Jaguar is an irreclaimable and untamable animal. 

 It was a general pet on the voyage, and, from an account of its proceedings while on board 

 ship, I am indebted to Captain Inglefield himself. 



The Jaguar was named "Doctor," and was as well acquainted with its name as any dog. 

 It was at times rather lazy, and loved to lie at full length on deck, and stretch its limbs 

 to their full extent. It was so perfectly tame that Captain Inglefield was accustomed to lie 

 down by the side of the spotted favorite, using its body as his pillow. When the vessel 

 arrived in harbor, and people were anxious to view the Jaguar, the creature walked to the 

 stable where it was to be exhibited, merely being led by its chain. It was a remarkable 

 circumstance, that, although the animal was so entirely tame and gentle towards men, and 

 would let them pull it about in their rough play, it could never be trusted in the presence 

 of a little child, nor of a dog. In either case, the animal became excited, and used to stretch 

 its chain to its utmost limit. 



Uncooked meat was never permitted in its diet, and, except in one or two instances, when 

 the animal contrived to obtain raw flesh, it was fed exclusively on meat that had been boiled. 

 One of these exceptional cases was rather amusing. 



At Monte Video, the admiral had signalled for the captains of H. M. ships to come on 

 board and dine with him. His cook was, of course, very busy on the occasion, and more 

 especially so, as there was at the time rather a scarcity of fresh provisions. The steward had 

 been making the necessary arrangements for the entertainment, and came on board carrying a 

 leg of mutton and some fowls. Just as he stepped on deck, the Jaguar bounced out of his 

 hiding-place, and, clutching the meat and fowls out of the steward's hands, ran off with them. 

 The fowls were rescued by the captain, who got them away from the robber undamaged, with 

 the exception of their heads, which had been bitten off and eaten, but the mutton was past 

 reclaiming, and so, to the great disgust of the cook and steward, the bill of fare had to be altered. 



