THE OCELOT. 



Rpois on each side, more or less distinct, slopinp; 

 down from the shoulder towards the flanks. The 

 legs are irregularly marked with numerous hlack 

 spots, differing in size and shape. The tail is barred 

 with hlack on its sides and dorsal line, but is not an- 

 nu!ated as in some of the varieties." 



We have the following additional particulars of 

 the habits of this animal in Mr Wilson's account. 

 4 She is remarkably playful, much inclined to climb 

 up the legs of those who approach her (an inconve- 

 nient tendency, from the length and sharpness of her 

 claws), and delights in being carried about in peo- 

 ple's arms like a cat. She is an extremely power- 

 ful animal, but gentle through the influence of do- 

 mestication, and attached to those who feed her. 

 She one day seized a chamois leather glove, which 

 she tore to pieces, and swallowed immediately. The 

 person to whom the glove belonged could not rescue 

 it with the strength of both his hands. While young, 

 this animal was fed on oatmeal porridge and milk, 

 and has been all along sustained chiefly by milk and 

 vegetables, with occasionally a bit of boiled liver, or 

 other offal. The nature of the diet has obviously a 

 considerable influence on her disposition. When fa- 

 rinaceous food and milk prevail, she is certainly more 

 tractable than when animal food is given in any con- 

 siderable quantity ; and when treated with live birds 

 or raw flesh, she is observed to assume greater fierce- 

 ness in her aspect, and to strike more fordnly with 

 her fore-paws at passing animals. She has some* 



