302 Wild Beasts 



Without pretending to decide upon what the mental or 

 emotional state under such circumstances really was, both 

 the natural character of these beasts, and certain well- 

 known devices, not only of theirs, but of allied species, 

 suggest another explanation. One of the most common 

 means for defence resorted to by this family at large, is an 

 assumption of anger, and the pretence of attack — they try 

 to frighten intruders whom they suspect of an intention to 

 do them harm. When a puma crouches and bares its teeth 

 it is not always enraged, but very frequently does this for 

 the reason that it is uneasy, or dislikes what you are doing 

 and wishes to put an end to something disagreeable by ter- 

 rifying the objectionable person. It might then happen 

 that a cougar would, when startled by an accidental meet- 

 ing of this kind, assume an offensive attitude with the 

 intention of intimidating the person met. If it suc- 

 ceeded, apprehension might easily give place for a time to 

 its propensity towards torture, and the beast would then 

 behave much in the same manner, apart from actual 

 violence, as if in the course of its pursuit of prey this 

 had been overtaken. Such situations, however, present 

 none of the conditions that tend towards permanence. 

 In default of speedy rescue, the partially aroused tenden- 

 cies of the puma would soon become fully awakened, and 

 its impulses break out in acts of bloodshed. 



Various references have been made to that part of the 

 education of feline beasts by which they are taught not to 

 kill their human associates. One may read a great deal 

 without finding much information on this subject. Most 

 all of the professional trainers whom the writer has ex- 



