HUNTING THE JAGUAR. 193 



strength, and depriving it of all power of resistance or of flight. 

 Occasionally, however, when urged by hunger, he prowls abroad 

 more openly, and will even venture to attack man; but' rarely if 

 he finds him on his guard. M. Sonnini relates that one annoyed 

 him and his party for two successive nights, during his travels in 

 Guiana, constantly hovering about them, watching an opportunity 

 for falling on his prey, but retreating into the bushes the moment 

 he perceived himself observed, and disappearing with such 

 rapidity that it was impossible to get a shot at him. According 

 to the same author and to M. D'Azara, these animals climb with 

 great dexterity, swim with almost equal skill, and are able to 

 carry c3" the bodies of their victims, ev^n of the largest quadru- 

 peds, such as horses and oxen, to a place of security where they 

 can sat'ate their appetites without risk of disturbance. The 

 natives of Paraguay have a bold and singular mode of hunting 

 the Jaguar. The hunter folds his pouch round his left arm, by 

 way of shield, and taking a spear in his right hand, fearlessly 

 assail" him in his lair, and generally with success. 



13 



