CAT KIND. 425 



I think I could add two animals of this species 

 that have not been hitherto described, and with 

 the names of which he that showed them was 

 utterly unacquainted. But it is a poor ambition 

 that of being eager to find out new distinctions, 

 or adding one noxious animal more to a list that 

 is already sufficiently numerous. Were the know- 

 ing a new variety to open an unknown history, 

 or in the least to extend our knowledge, the in- 

 quiry would be then worth pursuing ; but what 

 signifies mentioning some trifling difference, and 

 from thence becoming authors of a new name, 

 when the difference might have originally pro- 

 ceeded either from climate, soil, or indiscrimi- 

 nate copulation ? 



The cougars are extremely common in South 

 America, and, where the towns border upon the 

 forest, they make frequent incursions by night 

 into the midst of the streets, carrying off fowls, 

 dogs, and other domestic creatures. They are, 

 however, but weak and contemptible compared 

 to the great tiger, being found unable to cope 

 with a single man. The Negroes and Indians 

 are very dexterous in encountering them ; and 

 some, even for the sake of their skins, seek them 

 in their retreats. The arms in this combat, seem- 

 ingly so dangerous, are only a lance of two or three 

 yards long, made of heavy wood, with the point 

 hardened in the fire, and a kind of scimitar of 

 about three quarters of a yard in length. Thus 

 armed, they wait till the tiger makes an assault 

 against the left hand, which holds the lance, and 

 is wrapped up in a short cloak of baize. Some- 



