TlIK JAGUAR. 



usual with most animals, the upper parts o( the ]jOvly arc darker than the 

 lower. 



The Ounce is an hihabitant of some parts of Asia, and specimens of this fine 

 animal have been brought from the shores of the Persian Gulf. In size, it equals 

 tlie ordinary leopard of Asia or Africa. 



JAGUAR . — Leopardiis Onca. 



The American Jaguar is the largest and most uTagnificent example of the 

 Cat tribe. 



Closely resembling the leopard m external appearance, and in its tree -loving 

 habits, it seems to play the same part in America as the leopard in the transatlantic 

 continents. It is a larger animal than the leopard, and may be easily distinguished 

 from that animal. 



In the first place, the tail is rather short in proportion to the size of its OAvner, 

 and, wdien the (mimal stands upright, only just sweeps the ground with its tip. 

 Across the breast of the Jaguar are drawn two or three l)old black streaks, Avhicli 

 are never seen in the leopard, and which alone serve as an easy guide to the 

 species. The spots, too, with Avhich 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, Avhereas 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 doid)le, and in order 

 to give room for it, the rosettes are very 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 colour 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 three pounds. 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 foimd. 



In its native land, the Jaguar ranges the dense and perfumed forests in search 

 of the various creatures which fall victims to its powerful claws. The list of 

 animals that compose its bill of fare is a large and comprehensive one, including 

 horses, deer, monkeys, capybaras, tapirs, birds of various kinds, tm*tles, lizards, and 

 fish; thus comprising examples of all the four orders of vertebrated animals. 

 Nor does the Jaguar confine itself to the vertebrates. Various shell-fisli, 



5G 



