THE PUMA, OR AMERICAN LION. 133 



and beneath the left shoulder. The cougar writhed 

 for a moment in agony, and in another lay dead *." 

 The puma is very easily tamed, and becomes 

 harmless and even affectionate. Azara records its 

 docility from one which he long kept tame, and the 

 celebrated Kean possessed one which followed him 

 loose, and was often introduced to company in his 

 drawing-room. We have frequently been in com- 

 pany with the animal which served for the accom- 

 panying illustration. It was extremely gentle and 

 playful, and showed no symptoms of ferocity to the 

 strangers who came to see it. Its motions were all 

 free and graceful, and it exhibited the greatest agi- 

 lity in leaping and swinging about the joists of a 

 large unoccupied room in the old college of Edin- 

 burgh. For the following additional particulars we 

 are indebted to the account given by Mr Wilson. 

 " It rejoices greatly in the society of those to whose 

 company it is accustomed, lies down upon its back- 

 between their feet, and plays with the skirts of their 

 garments, entirely after the manner of a kitten. It 

 shews a great predilection for water, and frequently 

 jumps into and out of a large tub, rolling itself 

 about, and seemingly greatly pleased with the re- 

 freshment. While in London, it made its escape 

 into the street during the night, but allowed itself to 

 be taken up by a watchman, without offering even 

 a show of resistance. It was brought from the city 

 of St Paul's, the capital of the district of that name, 

 * Audubon, p. 198. 



