SERVAL,—Leopardus Serval, 
account of the bold variegations of the Serval’s fur, its skin is in great request, and finds 
a ready sale among furriers, who know it by the name of the Tiger-cat. 
The ground colour of the Serval’s fur is of a bright golden tint, sobered with a wash 
of grey. The under portions of the body and the inside of the limbs are nearly white. 
Upon this ground are placed numerous dark spots, which occasionally coalesce and form 
stripes. In number and size they are very variable. The ears are black, with a broad 
white band across them, and from their width at the base, they give the animal a very 
quaint aspect when it stands with its head erect. 
In disposition, the Serval appears to be singularly docile, and even more playful than 
the generality of the sportive tribe of cats. It is not a very large animal, measuring about 
eighteen inches in height, and two feet in length, exclusive of the tail, which is ten inches 
long, and covered with thick, bushy fur. 
Few animals have been known by such a variety of names as the Puma of America. 
Travellers have indifferently entitled it the American Lion, the Panther, the Couguar 
the Carcajou (which is an entirely different animal), the Gouazouara, the Cuguacurana, anc 
many other names besides. For the name of Lion, the Puma is indebted to its uniforn 
tawny colour, so different from the conspicuous streaks and spots which decorate the fur o 
its congeners. It was entitled a Panther, on account of its pardine habits, which are 
almost identical with those of the spotted leopards of both continents. The word Couguar 
is a Gallican abbreviation of the Paraguay word Gouazouara ; and then the names Carca- 
jou and Quinquajou are simply instances of mistaken identity. The Anglo-Americans 
compromise the matter by calling the creature a “ painter.” 
It is rather a large animal, but, on account of its small head, appears to be a less 
powerful creature than really is the case. The total length of the Puma is about six feet 
and a half, of which the tail occupies rather more than two feet. The tip of the tail is 
black, but is destitute of the black tuft of long hair which is so characteristic of the true 
lion. Its limbs are extremely thick and muscular, as needs be for an animal whose life is 
spent almost entirely in climbing trees, and whose subsistence is gained only by the 
exercise of mingled activity and force. 
