Tlie Book of Cats. 237 



depths of the forest, where all day long it lies 

 quiet, but, as night advances, comes out to prey 

 on birds and small quadrupeds. It is said to be a 

 particularly cunning creature, and sometimes, when 

 other stratagems to replenish his larder have failed, 

 to stretch himself all along the bough of a tree and 

 sham death. The monkeys of the neighbourhood 

 have no greater enemy than the Ocelot, therefore it 

 is only natural that, when they find him dead, they 

 would be much rejoiced, and call together their 

 friends and relations to see the pretty sight. The 

 treacherous ocelot is, however, meanwhile keeping 

 sharp watch through a tiny chink of his eyelids, 

 and when the rejoicing is at its highest, up he 

 jumps, and, before the monkey-revellers can recover 

 from their fright, at least a couple will feel the fatal 

 weight of his paw. There are several ocelots, the 

 painted, the grey, and the common, among others. 

 In captivity, few animals are more surly and spite- 

 ful, until they grow thoroughly well acquainted 

 with their keepers or others who court their notice. 

 There is, however, one weapon keener than the 

 sharpest sword, more potent than the Armstrong 

 gun, more powerful than all the gunpowder and 

 bullets ever made, and yet so simple, that the boy 

 yet in pinafores may direct it : to this weapon the 



