THE CAT KIND. 



301 



as I could see it through the bars, that were 

 it properly streaked and coloured, it would 

 in all things resemble a small tiger. It is, 

 however, of a very different colour, being of 

 a deep brown, and the tail very long and point- 

 ed. It is rather darker on the back; under 

 the chin it is a little whitish, as also on the 

 lower part of the belly. 



Of all the American animals, this is the 

 most formidable and mischievous ; even their 

 pretended lion not rxcepted : it is said there 

 are several sorts of them ; and, as well as I 

 can remember, I have seen one or two here 

 in England, both differing from the present, 

 in size and conformation. It is, indeed, a vain 

 endeavour to attempt to describe all the less 

 obvious varieties in the cat kind. If we ex- 

 amine them minutely, we shall find the diffe- 

 rences multiply upon us so much, that instead 

 of a history, we shall only be paid with a ca- 

 talogue of distinctions. From such of them 

 as I have seen, within these last six years, I 

 think I could add two animals of this species, 

 that have not been hitherto described, and 

 with the names of which he that showed them 

 was utterly unacquainted But it is a poor 

 ambition, that of being eager to find out new 

 distinctions, or adding one noxious animal 

 more, to a list that is already sufficiently nu- 

 merous. Were the knowing a new variety 

 to open an unknown history, or in the least 

 to extend our knowledge, the inquiry would 

 be then worth pursuing; but what signifies 

 mentioning some trifling difference, and from 

 thence becoming authors of a new name, when 

 the difference might have originally proceed- 

 ed either from climate, soil, or indiscriminate 

 copulation? 



The cougars are extremely common in South 

 America; and, where the towns border upon 

 the forest, these make frequent incursions by 

 night into the midst of the streets, carrying 

 off fowls, dogs, and other domestic creatures. 

 They are, howr-ver, but weak and contemp- 

 tible, compared to the'great tiger, being found 

 unable to cope with a single man. The Ne- 

 groes and Indians are very dexterous in en- 

 countering them ; and some, even for the sake 

 of their skins, seek them in their retreats. 

 The arms in this combat, seemingly so dan- 

 gerous, are only a lance of two or three yards 

 long, made of heavy wood, with the point har- 



dened in the fire ; and a kind of scymitar, of 

 about three quarters of a yard in length. Thus 

 armed, they wait till the tiger makes an as- 

 sault against the left hand, which holds the 

 lance, and is wrapped up in a short cloak of 

 baize. Sometimes the animal, aware of the 

 danger, seems to decline the combat; but 

 then its antagonist provokes it with a slight 

 touch of the lance, in order, while he is de- 

 fending himself, to strike a sure blow. As 

 soon, therefore, as the creature feels the lance, 

 it grasps it with one of its paws, and with the 

 other strikes at the arm which holds it. Then 

 it is that the person nimbly aims a blow with 

 his scymitar, which he kept concealed, with 

 the other hand, and hamstrings the creature, 

 which immediately draws back enraged, but 

 instantly returns to the charge. But then, 

 receiving another stroke, it is totally deprived 

 of the power of motion: and the combatant, 

 killing it at his leisure, strips the skin, cuts 

 off the head, and returns to his companions, 

 displaying these as the trophies of his victory. 



This animal, as we are assured, is often 

 more successful against the crocodile; and it 

 istheonlyquadniped in that part of the world, 

 that is not afraid of the engagement. It must 

 be no unpleasant sight to observe, from a place 

 of safety, this extraordinary combat, between 

 animals so terrible and obnoxious to man. 

 Such as have seen it, describe it in the follow- 

 ing mariner. When the tiger, impelled by 

 thirst, that seems continually to consume it, 

 comes down to the river side to drink, the 

 crocodile, which makes no distinction in its 

 prey, lifts its head above water to seize it ; 

 the tiger, not less rapacious than the other, 

 and unacquainted with the force of the enemy, 

 boldly ventures to seize it, and plunges its 

 claws into the eyes of the crocodile, which is 

 the only vulnerable parts of its body : upon 

 this the crocodile instantly dives under water, 

 and the tiger goes down with him, for he will 

 sooner die than let go its hold. In this man- 

 ner the combat continues for some time, un- 

 til the tiger is drowned, or escapes, as is some- 

 times the case, from its disabled enemy. 



These animals are common in Guiana." 

 They were formerly seen swimming over, in 

 great numbers, into the island of Cayenne, to 



Buff on, vol. xix. p. 22. 



3B* 



