Mammalia. 279 



withdrawn into a sheath, where they are kept most of the 

 time, the animal walking on pads developed on the next to 

 the last joint of each toe. These pads enable the cats to 

 walk noiselessly, and this is an important trait, as they 

 capture their prey by lying in wait or by creeping near it 

 stealthily, then suddenly pouncing upon it. In a bright 

 light the pupils are reduced to a narrow vertical slit. In 

 the dark they dilate widely ; thus they are fitted for their 

 nocturnal habits. 



Our biggest cat is the cougar or puma, also called the 

 American panther, and in the West known altogether as the 

 mountain lion. Its body is about as thick as that of a 

 sheep and somewhat longer, with a long tail. It is tawny 

 brownish yellow above, paler beneath. Though fierce 

 when wounded or cornered, it is a sneaking, cowardly 

 creature, few instances being known of its attacking a 

 human being. It follows mountain sheep and other mam- 

 mals, ready to seize the young or the sickly or wounded 

 adults. It is found from British Columbia to Patagonia. 

 The wild-cat and lynx are smaller and are short-tailed, 

 being in some localities called " bobcats." Other cats are 

 the lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, etc. 



The Dogs. Dogs have the nose more pointed than the 

 cats. The claws are blunt and not retractile. The dog- 

 like form includes the wolves, jackals, and foxes. Most 

 of this group capture their prey by running it down, instead 

 of by stealth as in the cat tribe, though the fox is rather 

 catlike in this respect Proverbial for his cunning, the 

 fox remains in thickly settled districts, not disdaining birds 

 that are domesticated. We have two species of wolves. 

 The prairie wolf, or coyote, has a sneaking, cowardly dis*- 

 position. When an Indian wishes to express his utmost 

 contempt for an individual he calls him a coyote. The 



