278 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



it is something quite out of the common to read of the 

 experiences of Mr Arthur Head, F.Z.S., as recounted in 

 Pearson s Magazine, with a performing specimen of the 

 above-named great cat. 



It seems that for the last eight years the artist in 

 question has been engaged in drawing from nature the 

 eyes of every kind of animal in the cause of science. 



This perilous work has been undertaken to assist Dr 

 Lindsay Johnson in a new method of classifying the 

 animal kingdom. 



Many adventures have befallen Mr Head in his 

 dealings with wild animals ; not the least amusing of 

 which were his experiences with a puma, thus related : 



" I happened to hear that a travelling showman was 

 exhibiting a tame puma at Mitcham Fair, and as I had 

 to take every opportunity to obtain my drawings, I 

 hastened off to interview the beast. 



" I found he was advertised as a Champion Boxing 

 Puma and that he had been trained to fight in the most 

 approved style. 



" The owner was most obliging when I told him I 

 wanted to draw his pet's eyes, and fastened boxing gloves 

 on his fore feet so that he should not scratch me with his 

 claws, and then made him sit up on some boxes in the 

 darkened tent. 



"Thinking no harm would come of it, I put my 

 ophthalmoscope to my eye, and began to examine the 

 puma's eyes. 



" A moment later a terrific blow fell on the side of 

 my head, and I was sent flying backwards. 



