THE STORY OP THE JAGUAR. 



423 



A peculiar animosity to the jaguar is displayed in the pampas by its near 

 relative the puma. Where the two species inhabit the same district they 

 are at enmity, the puma being the persistent persecutor of the jaguar, fol- 

 lowing and harassing it as a tyrant-bird harasses an eagle or hawk, moving 

 about it with such rapidity as to confuse it, and, when an opportunity occurs, 

 springing upon its back, and inflicting terrible wounds with teeth and claws. 

 Jaguars with scarred backs are frequently killed, and others, not long 



JAGUAR IN ITS NATIVE FOREST. 



escaped from their tormentors, have been easily ov^ercome by the hunters. 

 This is the more remarkable since the puma is an animal of far inferior size 

 and power to its adversary, although what it lacks in power it makes up in 

 agility. 



The Gauchos of South America are in the habit of capturing the jaguar 

 with the lasso; and I once witnessed a curious instance of how one of these 

 fierce animals was absolutely paralyzed with fear, induced by a party of 

 hunters who intended to capture it in this manner. These hunters had 



