THE JAGUAR. 31 



numerous bands until some straggler separates from the 

 main body, when he surrounds the prey, and quickly kills 

 and devours it. So, too, he will accompany hunting- 

 parties and the caravans of travellers, taking possession of 

 the camps which they abandon, and falling eagerly on the 

 refuse of the morning or evening meal. Sometimes he 

 will stealthily glide into the encampment at night, and 

 seize the rations set aside by the emigrants or adventurers 

 for the morrow's breakfast. 



As the cayeutes are the most numerous of the American 

 carnivores, they frequently suffer from famine. When 

 close pressed by hunger, they will feed upon roots, fruits, 

 vegetables, or anything else which can satisfy a raging 

 appetite. 



Another American carnivore to which the reader's at- 

 tention may be' directed is the Jaguar. It occurs in the 

 United States, and is intermediate in size between the 

 leopard and the tiger. The skin is of a reddish white, and 

 covered from the neck to the extremity of the tail with 

 dull brown oval spots, ringed with black. 



The jaguar prowls to and fro in the shades of night, 

 seeking whom he may devour. His gait is slow, but as he 

 takes a long, firm stride, he succeeds in covering a con- 

 siderable space of ground between sunrise and sunset. If 

 the country abound in game, he quickly finds a supper ! 

 One or two tremendous leaps will place in his claws a vic- 

 tim, on which he will banquet leisurely and with well-bred 

 discreetness. But when the way is rendered almost im- 

 passable by the snow-drifts, or by the fury of the storm, he 



