THE OCELOT. 14T 



In the more typical forms the length of the head and body 

 ranges from 26 to 33 inches, and that of the tail, from n to as 

 much as 15 inches. 



Of the varieties, local races, sub-species, or whatever they 

 may be called, the form described as F grisea takes its name 

 from the grey hue of the ground-colour of the fur, which may 

 even tend to whitish on the flanks. Another grey phase is 

 presented by the variety F. pardoides^ which differs from the 

 preceding in that the spots on the flanks are less ring-like, 

 while the stripes on the neck are shorter and less distinct, the 

 ground-colour in that region being redder. This form is of 

 small size, the length of the head and body being 25 inches, 

 and that of the tail, 15. In both these grey phases the charac- 

 teristic tinge exists at birth. The Leopardus pictus of Gray 

 has the coloration less brilliant than in the typical race, less 

 closely approximated spots, and a smaller difference be- 

 tween the shade of the central areas of the latter and the 

 general ground-colour. On the other hand, the variety F. me- 

 lanura is characterised by the intensity and brilliance of its 

 coloration, the ground-colour being bright fulvous, the black 

 markings very numerous and deep, and the white under-parts 

 standing out in bold contrast to the rest. 



Lastly, we have the so-called Chained Ocelot (F. catenata)^ 

 described by Hamilton Smith in the following words : " It is 

 about the size of a Wild Cat ; the legs are, in proportion, 

 shorter than in the Ocelot ; the head and body heavier ; the 

 mane, forehead, under the eyes, arms, shoulders, back, rump, 

 hind-legs, and tail are of a reddish-yellow colour; the temples 

 ochreous ; the cheeks, throat, belly, and inside of the legs white. 

 Several rows of black spots from the ears converge on the fore- 

 head. There is a single streak from the outer angle of the eye 

 to below the ear. On the shoulders, back, sides, rump, and 

 hams there are long chain-like streaks of black and reddish- 



