i'HE JAGUAR, OR AMERICAN PANTHER. 185 



of an oval or diamond shape, producing a very beau- 

 tiful appearance. Upon the sides the rings became 

 more defined and distinct, and many of them pos- 

 sessed the small spot or spots in the centre, which 

 has been always given as one of the characters of this 

 species. 



The next illustration (Plate XI.) is taken from 

 Frederick Cuvier's representation of the male jaguar. 

 The dimensions of this animal were in total length 

 6 feet 9 inches, of which the tail made 2 feet 2 inches ; 

 the height at the shoulder 2 feet 6 inches, a size al- 

 together approaching near to that of the Greater Ja- 

 guar of Hamilton Smith, which it also somewhat re- 

 sembles in the markings of the body. The rings are 

 few and very defined, but there is little trace of any 

 central dots, and the intermediate spaces are equally 

 free from interruption. 



Our next Plate (Plate XII.) is taken from Mr 

 Wilson's beautiful illustration, from a drawing by 

 Mosses. In it the rings can scarcely be traced at 

 all, and the whole marking is of a more irregular 

 and confused character. But the animal had not 

 reached its full dimensions, and with its growth th 

 completion of the rings may have become more de- 

 veloped. In whatever way it may be taken, it forms 

 a very interesting addition to the figures of this ani- 

 mal. It was brought to Liverpool from Paraguay, 

 and the Captain of the vessel could venture to play 

 with it, as it lay in one of the boats on deck, to 



