260 



BRANCH VERTEBKATA. 



The Puma (pu'ma)* inhabits North and South Amer- 

 ica. Its uniform dun color gives a mimicry for its pro- 

 tection while crouching upon the branches of trees. 



FIG. 452. 



Fe' lis can'cblor. Puma. 



Having a black tail-tuft and 

 a sameness of color, it has 

 been called the " American 

 Lion," though none of its 

 habits resembles those of its 

 African namesake, except perhaps its cowardice. Its 

 range of habitat is more remarkable than that of any 

 other of the Cats, though it has disappeared from all 

 long-settled parts of the Continent, through the per- 

 sistent efforts of man to exterminate it. A black variety 

 of this species is also said to exist in South America. 



* In different parts of the Continent the Puma is styled the "painter," the 

 "panther," the "cougar" (koo'gfir), and even the "catamount," though there is 

 no panther in America, and the true catamount is the wild cat of Europe. 



