170 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



and never had given any signs of ferocity. She therefore 

 affords another example that it is not safe to trust these 

 animals. Of course the poor horse was dreadfully torn, 

 and the expressions of his agony were most affecting. 

 The lioness, however, had missed the vital parts. 



The Puma or Couagar of North and South America 

 is generally called a lion, but he has no mane or tufted 

 tail, and when young his pale fawn coat is striped with 

 blackish brown. These marks, however, disappear witli 

 age. He is the largest of the feline tribe on that con- 

 tinent, and is very destructive to smaller animals. He 

 rarely attacks man, and on some occasions evinces as 

 much courage as the true lion ; and a curious observa- 

 tion has been made by travellers, that he becomes less 

 bold as he approaches to the north. One given to 

 Professor Jamieson of Edinburgh seemed to delight in 

 playing with a tub of water. He also played with dogs 

 and monkeys without the slightest interruption to their 

 good understanding ; but if a goat or a fowl came in 

 sight, they were snapped up immediately. He made 

 his escape one night in London, and offered no resist- 

 ance when caught by a watchman. He is hunted on 

 the Pampas by dogs, and the Indians secure him with 

 the bolas or the lasso. He climbs trees with great 

 facility. His skin makes excellent gloves, and many 

 persons consider his flesh dainty food. 



Mr. Waterton, in one of his essays, makes some 

 remarks and relates a story which ought to be inserted 

 in every book which treats of feline animals. Therefore, 

 and although many others have quoted them, I do not 

 apologize for inserting an abridgment of them here. 

 He says all animals of the dog tribe must be combated 

 with might and main, and with unceasing exertion, in 



