190 THE JAGUAR, OR AMERICAN PANTHER. 



skin, on which he receives the animal's spring, and 

 stabs him with a spear about five feet in length. 



Jaguars are occasionally met with having the 

 ground colour of the skin of a very deep brown 

 tinge, almost approaching to black ; on these the 

 markings are of a still deeper shade. This variety 

 is rare, and has never been well or characteristically 

 figured, and we regret having been unable to pro- 

 cure a drawing from well preserved or living speci- 

 mens. Azara has also mentioned a white variety, 

 with the rings appearing darker in particular lights. 

 This seems to be still more rare, and we are not 

 aware of any specimen having been lately seen iii 

 Europe. 



Next to this animal, we have ventured to point 

 out what we consider will be the distinguishing cha- 

 racters of one which is yet almust unknewik 



