63 CARNIVORA. 



Bengal and China. It is nearly equal to the lion in size, and 

 though inferior to him in strength, surpasses him in activity and 

 rapidity. Whole villages are sometimes depopulated by this 

 most dangerous animal. The tigress has five cubs at a time, 

 which are easily tamed but not to be trusted. Among American 

 Tiger Cats may be enumerated the Ocelot, F. pardalis, of Tropical 

 America ; the Chati, F. mitis, (mild,) of South America, about one 

 third larger than a cat, and the Pampas, or Jungle Cat, F. Pajeros, 

 which lives on Guinea pigs. The Nepaul Tiger Cat, F. nepa- 

 lensis, is two and a half feet long, including the tail. The Ser- 

 val, jP. Serval, an African Tiger Cat, plays like a kitten, and 

 looks very cat-like. 



The LEOPARDS, or SPOTTED Cats, are numerous, and found on 

 both continents. They are distinguished for beauty and ele- 

 gance. Their color, in the East, is a pale yellow, covered with 

 rosettes of black, which contract into spots about the head, neck 

 and limbs. The general length is about four feet and the height 

 about two. The Leopard preys upon antelopes, deer and mon- 

 keys. So great is the flexibility of its body that it can make 

 surprising leaps, swim, climb trees or crawl like a snake, with 

 nearly equal facility. These animals are fierce and rapacious, 

 and it is remarked that "though they are ever devouring, they 

 always appear lean and emaciated." 



The JAGUAR, F. onca, is the Leopard of this Continent. This 

 formidable animal inhabits Mexico, and is met with in almost 

 every part of Central America. In common with many of this 

 family, he is often called the Panther. The Cheetah, F. jubata, 

 is the Hunting Leopard of the Cape of Good Hope, and combines 

 in some degree, the habits of both the cat and the dog. Its spe- 

 cific name jubata, (Lat. crested,) is derived from the thin 

 mane running down the neck. 



The LYNXES are distinguished by their tufted ortasseled ears, 

 and shorter bodies and tails. Eight species are described. The 

 Wild Cat, or Bay Lynx, Lynx rufus, looks most ferocious, but 

 flies from its pursuers, moving by bounds or leaps, and raising 

 all the feet at the same time from the ground. The Canada 

 Lynx, (L. Canadensis ) is more retired in its habits, and its fur 

 furnishes the most beautiful materials for muffs, collars, &c. 

 The Caracal, F. Caracal, takes its specific name from the black 

 tips of its ears, the word in Turkish meaning black. Its 

 body is longer and more slender than in the true LYNXES. It 

 is called the "Lion's provider." The domestic and the wild cat 

 are supposed by many to be of distinct species. A ma.rked dif. 

 ference is shown in the tails of the two ; that of the wild cat is 



