74 CLU ADRUPEDS. 



approached, raifes its head above the water; the jaguar inflantly (Irikes 

 its claws into the eyes of the crocodile (its only penetrable part), who, 

 diving diredily, pulls his enenny with him, and commonly bothperifh. 



Thefe three animals we may rank together, as they agree pretty 

 nearly in their robe, their fize, their difpofitions, and their ferocity. 



The OUNCE is at moft three feet and a half long ; its tail often 

 longer than the reft of its body ; its colour rather inclining to a cream 

 colour, deeper on the back, whiter towards the belly. The hair on the 

 back an inch and a half long j that on the belly, two inches and a half, 

 which is much longer than that of the panther. Its fpots are difpofed 

 like thofe of the panther; but on the haunches it has rather ftripes 

 than fpots. 



The ounce is remarkable for being tamed ; and is employed in 

 the Eaft for the chace. A fmall kind of panther is fometimes ufcd 

 for this purpofe ; yet never thoroughly fubdued, but ufually brought 

 to the field in a carriage, and kept chained and caged till Ihewn their 

 prey. This they purfue by three or four great fprings. If it efcape 

 from, their firfl effort, they appear quite confounded, and fometimes are 

 fo much enraged at it, that they attack their employer, and his only re- 

 fource to avoid their fury, is to throw them fome fmall pieces of meat 

 which he has brought with him for that purpofe. 



The ounce is treated with more confidence, and brought to the field 

 hood-winked behind a horfeman. When the game appears, the ounce 

 is inftantly uncovered, and fhewn where it lies ; on which the fierce crea- 

 ture dares like an arrow, and feizcs it at once, or, miffing it, remains 

 motionlefs In the place. It runs badly, and has no fcent. Scent indeed 

 is nearly, if not totally, ufelefs in tropical climates ; for their extreme 

 heat produces fuch univerfal putrefa(^tion, fuch various and powerful 

 odours, that dogs themfelves arc firft bewildered, and at laft deprived of 

 the delicacy of their fcent. 



Among fmaller animals of this kind Is the Catamountain, or 

 TIGER CAT of moft who exhibit it. It is a Mexican animal, about 

 two feet and a half in length, from the nofe to the infertion of the tail. 

 It is extremely like a cat, but larger and flendercr ; its colours more 

 beautiful, and its tail rather ftiorter. The fur is reddifli, beautified with 

 black fpots, and ftreaks, long on the back, and round on the belly 

 and paws. On the ears are black ftripes, which run acrofs ; but, in 

 other refpt (Tts, they entirely rcfcmble thofe of a cat. Thefe colours are 

 not pernnanent. Bur differently difpofed in difterent fpecimcns. 



The 



