Home of the Mountain Lion 139 



lion creeping along at dusk. The next morning its 

 tracks were found and the hounds readily picked them 

 up near the old Mission tuna hedge, a mile to the east, 

 but it was a forlorn hope. The country here was a 

 mesa, without trees, overlooking a large vineyard some 

 five feet lower, and every object could be seen for miles. 

 The dogs took the trail and followed it down across 

 country in the direction of Puente, where they lost it in 

 the lowlands ; and it was believed that the lion had 

 made its way into the Puente Hills, crossing the entire 

 San Gabriel Valley diagonally, so reaching the wild 

 country about Mount Santiago. 



In many of the mountain towns or those near the 

 canons, stories are current relating to the mountain lion, 

 but the animal is rarely seen. One was killed near the 

 Raymond Hotel in 1898, and another was seen by a 

 hunter on the old Mount Wilson trail, the animal slink- 

 ing off into the chaparral. Doubtless a good pack of 

 hounds taken up into the mountains near Barley Flats, 

 or at the extreme head of the San Gabriel, would result 

 in the finding of lions, but there are so few seen or heard 

 of that hunting is rarely attempted. In the less fre- 

 quented parts of the country, in the region back of the 

 Santa Ynez, and between San Jacinto and the Mexican 

 line, the deep caflons doubtless afford a home for many 

 lions that are only occasionally heard of or seen. 



The mountain lion is an interesting cat on account 

 of its wide geographical range. My guide, years ago, 

 entertained me with stories of the panthers he had seen 



