182 THE OCELOT. 
closely to the body, and only presents its black surface to the eye. But if it is excited, 
and sets up its fur after the manner of an angry cat, the white markings of the hair 
immediately become visible. It is said to be a very savage animal when wild. 
It is a native of Guiana, and several specimens have been brought to this country. 
MARBLED CAT.—Leopardus Mar mordius. 
The MarBLep Cat partakes more of the proverbial pardine spotted character than 
either of the two preceding animals, and although not so finely marked as the beautiful 
Ocelots, or Tiger Cats, possesses a fur prettily diversified with dark spots upon a light 
ground. The ground of the fur is generally of a greyish tawny, on which are scattered 
many spots, not so sharply defined as those of the Leopard, or the Tiger Cats. It is an 
inhabitant of Malacca. 
Many of the members of the large genus Leopardus, are classed together under the 
title of Ocelots, or, more popularly, of Tiger Cats. They are all most beautiful animals, 
their fur being diversified with brilliant contrasts of a dark spot, streak, or dash upon a 
lighter ground, and their actions filled with easy grace and elegance. 
The common OCELOT is a native of the tropical regions of America, where it is found 
in some profusion. In length it rather exceeds four feet, of which the tail occupies a con- 
siderable portion. Its height averages eighteen inches. The ground colour of the fur is 
avery light greyish-fawn, on which are drawn partially broken bands of a very deep 
fawn-colour, edged with black, running along the line of the body. The band that extends 
along the spine is unbroken. On the head, neck, and the inside of the linbs, the bands 
are broken up into spots and dashes, which are entirely black, the fawn tint in their 
centre being totally merged in the deeper hue; the ears are black, with the exception of 
a conspicuous white spot upon the back and near the base of each ear. Owing to the 
beauty of the fur, the Ocelot skin is in great request for home use and exportation, and is 
extensively employed in the manufacture of various fancy articles of dress or luxury. 
In its habits the Ocelot is quick, active, and powerful, proving itself at all points a 
true leopard, although but in miniature. 
