TflE PUMA. 



393 



it can carry off or devour. Yet, though far larger than the 

 jaguar, it is inferior to it in courage, and, when boldly op- 

 posed by man, will always take to flight ; though, like the 

 jaguar, it will track a human being through the forest, in the 

 hope of springing on him when unobserved. Yet, boldly 

 faced, it plays the coward, and will creep oflT, unable to stand 











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PU-MAS. 



man's steady gaze. Like a wild cat, it climbs a tree with 

 ease ; and, taking post on a branch, crouches down, stretched 

 out at full leno'th alono- it, its colour harmonizino- with the 

 bark, so that it cannot be seen by its unwary prey moving- 

 near it. As the deer or vicuna passes below, it launches 

 itself on the doomed creature, and, drawing back its neck 

 with its powerful claws, breaks the vertebra^, and instantly 



