THE CONGA R. 71 



The red tiger, or more properly speaking the congar, 

 is very common in South America : and where towns 

 are bordering upon woods and forests, make frequent 

 incursions into them during night for the purpose of 

 carrying off fowls, dogs, or other domestic creatures 

 that may unfortunately be wandering through the 

 streets. They are, however, weak and contemptible 

 when compared to the great tiger ; and are capable of 

 being vanquished by a single man, if properly armed 

 with a lance and scymitar, which are the common 

 weapons they use in fight. 



Though this animal is seldom victorious in his com- 

 bats with the negroes, who provoke him to action for 

 the sake of his skin, yet he will frequently attack the 

 crocodile, and conquer a creature of much greater 

 might. When the congar, impelled by a thirst that 

 seems to consume it, comes down to the river side to 

 drink, the crocodile, which makes no distinction in its 

 prey, raises its head above water in order to secure a 

 perfect hold; then the congar instantly darts its claws 

 into its eyes, whilst his adversary plunges beneath the 

 waves, where they continue for a length of time together, 

 though the congar is frequently known to escape. 



This animal is common in Brazil and Paraguay; like- 

 wise in the country of the Amazons, and in several 

 other parts of South America : they often climb trees 

 in quest of prey, or to avoid their pursuers. Like the 

 tiger, they have an antipathy to fire, which the natives 

 kindle near their flocks and herds, to deter them from 

 venturing to approach. 



THE PANTHER. 



This animal has been mistaken by many naturalists 

 for the tiger ; and, in fact, it approaches nearest to it 



f 4 m. 



