70 PUMA. 



beyond the reach of assistance, and that he could 

 not safely approach the formidable animal, hastened 

 from the spot, and returning as quick as possible 

 with several persons, in order to remove the body 

 of the hunter, he found the Puma, and both the 

 dogs, lying dead together. 



Yet, notwithstanding his natural ferocity, and 

 who will not endeavour to defend himself when 

 attacked? the Puma is easily domesticated. Major 

 Smith met one day a waggon, in which was seated 

 an individual of the species. He seemed contented, 

 and gladly eyed some pieces of meat that were 

 thrown into a neighbouring tree. The chain was 

 curled round his neck, and on his keeper telling 

 him to bring down the pieces, he sprang after 

 them with surprising docility and ease. D'Azara, 

 had also a Puma in his possession, which was as 

 gentle as a dog. He would play merrily with any 

 one, and if an orange was presented him, he would 

 strike it with his paw, then push it away, and seize 

 it again, in the manner of a cat when playing 

 with a mouse. He had all the engaging ways of 

 this domestic quadruped, he would purr, and move 

 his tail, when pleased; and when anxious for his 

 food, his attitude and bounds resembled her's, while 

 watching to seize a bird. 



We may presume from the narrative of Captain 

 Head, that these animals abound on the great plains, 

 or pampas, to the east of the Cordillera. In that wild 

 expanse of waving grass, no trace of human beings 

 meets the eye, unless, occasionally, the picturesque 

 outline of a Gaucho*, with his scarlet mantle stream- 



* A race of men inhabiting the plains. 



