THE JAGUAR 



CELIS ONCA, generally called the jaguar, and very 

 often, in the regions he inhabits, el tigre, or the tiger, 

 is a large and heavy animal ; coming, in respect to its 

 average size, between the Asiatic panther and lion. It 

 is, perhaps, the most exclusively inter-tropical form among 

 Felidce, — or at least the larger species of that family ; 

 and although it passes beyond equatorial latitudes both 

 to the north and south, and is found at considerable ele- 

 vations where the temperature is low, this beast is essen- 

 tially an inhabitant of hot countries. 



H. H. Smith and others look upon the black jaguar of 

 the Brazilian highlands as a distinct species, and one 

 whose range is different from that of the spotted animals 

 of the Amazon valleys and basin of La Plata. W. N. 

 Lockington (" Standard Natural History") is one of sev- 

 eral authorities who consider that there may be several 

 true species of Felis onca, besides geographical varieties. 

 In short, the zoology of this great American cat is not 

 settled, and the records relating to its character and habits 

 are rather scanty. 



Looking at a full-grown jaguar carelessly, one might 

 mistake it for a large and thick-set panther, with a rather 

 short, clumsy tail, and very massive limbs. But besides 



175 



