SS 
THE PUMA. 105 
products of North America were first made known to the Old 
World, the Puma was indeed believed to be specifically iden- 
tical with the Lion, and the early explorers were accordingly 
puzzled to account. for the absence of maned individuals. 
Thus, in the second edition of the “ Description of the New 
Netherlands,” published in 1656, Van der Donck writes as 
follows: ‘‘ Although the New Netherlands lay in a fine climate, 
and although the country in winter seems rather cold, never- 
theless Lions are found there, but not by the Christians, who 
have travelled the land wide and broad and have not seen one. 
It is only known to us by the skins of the females, which are 
sometimes brought in by the Indians for sale, who on enquiry 
say that the Lions are found far to the south-west, distant fifteen 
or twenty days’ journey, in very high mountains, and that the 
males are too active and fierce to be taken.” 
From its extensive geographical range, probably greater in a 
north and south direction than that of any other member of 
the class to which it belongs, the Puma may be regarded as par 
excellence the characteristic Mammal of the New World; while 
for the same reason the creature is remarkable for its power of 
adapting itself to different climates and surroundings. Thus, 
whereas in the more northern portion of its range it inhabits 
the depths of the impassable forest-glades of Florida, it is some- 
times found on the open prairies of Texas ; while in mountain- 
ous regions it dwells amongst the most rocky and barren peaks. 
‘‘ He endures,” writes Mr. True, “‘severe cold during the winter 
in the Adirondack Mountains, and other parts of our northern 
frontier, and tracks his prey in the snow. He is equally at 
home in the hot swamps and cane-brakes along the river- 
courses of our southern States. In South America he inhabits 
the treeless grass-covered pampas as well as the forests. Inthe 
Rocky Mountains he ascends to the high altitudes in which the 
Mountain Sheep are found. Mr. Stone saw tracks of the Puma 
