102 LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY. 
Felis unicolor, Lesson, Joc. cit, 
Leopardus concolor, Gray, Lue Mamm. Brit. Mus. p. 43 (1843); 
id., Cat. Carniv. Mamm. Brit. Mus. p. 12 (1869) 
Uncia concolor, Cope, American Naturalist, vol. xxiii. February, 
Pp: 193 (1889). 
(Plate VIII.) 
Characters.—Size somewhat inferior to that of the Jaguar. 
General colour of fur tawny, tending to whitish on the under- 
parts; but the summer coat tending more to a reddish, and 
the winter one to a greyish hue. Middle line of back darker 
than the sides, and the end of the tail dusky-brown. Ears 
black externally, with a central whitish area ; upper lip white 
from the nostrils to the middle of the mouth, where there is a 
conspicuous black spot ; nostrils flesh-coloured. Pupil of eye 
circular when contracted. Skull of great vertical depth, con- 
nected with the arch of the hyoid bone by a chain of bones, 
as in the Domestic Cat. ‘Total average length about 7 feet 
1 inch, of which 2% feet are taken up by the tail. Cubs with 
the upper-parts and limbs marked with large blackish-brown 
spots, and the tail ringed with the same colour ; these markings 
disappearing in about six months after birth. 
There is considerable individual variation in the coloration 
of the Puma, but this has not yet been correlated with local 
distribution. Burmeister, in his ‘‘ Description of the Argentine 
Republic,” remarks that ‘ very rarely individuals of this species 
of a brown or nearly black colour have been found; while 
variations between yellowish-brown and yellowish-grey are not 
uncommon. I am aware that individuals nearly white, and 
others nearly black, have been observed, but I hav. aot seen 
them myself.” 
With regard to the coloration of the young, Mr. True 
observes that although the markings disappear more or less 
completely about the period indicated above, yet they persist 
