CATS OF FOREST AND PRAIRIE, 13 



the man being torn nearly into shreds ; and when discov- 

 ered in the morning he was found with his hands upon 

 the cat's throat, his knees upon its haunches, the animal 

 dead and stiffened by cold. The victor, in his terror, had 

 probably remained in the position described the livelong 

 night, his muscles paralyzed, his nerves shattered, and 

 never through a long life did he entirely recover from the 

 terrible encounter." 



6. The jaguar is a native of tropical South America, 

 and of North America as far north as Louisiana. It very 

 closely resembles the leopard. The spots on its skin are 

 rings of dark color, inclosing spaces of lighter hue, and 

 resemble rosettes. It is sometimes called the American 

 tiger. " It follows in the tracks of wild herds of cattle 

 and horses, and thus finds its principal subsistence. Its 

 mode of killing prey differs from that of the other cats, 

 which is to seize by the throat. The jaguar, on the con- 

 trary, springs upon the back of its victim, and by its arms 

 and with a sudden jerk of the head dislocates the neck. 

 Its strength is sufficient to enable it to drag the body of a 

 horse a great distance. 



7. " It is related that, many years ago, a jaguar took 

 possession of a church at Santa Fe and killed the padre. 

 The priest's absence caused suspicion, and an assistant 

 went to the church, but to the people was as unaccount- 

 ably delayed as his predecessor. After some time another 

 priest entered the church, and was instantly attacked by 

 the jaguar ; but he managed to escape and give the alarm. 

 No one now could be found brave enough to enter the 

 building ; so the people unroofed a corner of the church, 

 and from a safe distance shot their enemy. 



8. " The puma is the American lion ; at least it bears a 

 closer resemblance to that noble beast than any other of 

 the feline family, for it is destitute of the stripes of the 



