92 



THE AMERICAN " LIOX. 



tail is black, but is without that black tuft of long hair so 

 characteristic of the true lion. His limbs are robust and 

 muscular, as are requisite in an animal whose habits are 

 almost entirely arboreal. His skin is of a light tawny 

 colour, deeper in some individuals than in others. 



Until experience has taught it the perils of an encounter 

 with man, the puma is a troublesome neighbour, and is 



_^^^^S? 



known to follow up the traveller for a considerable dis 

 tanee, watching for an opportunity of springing upon him 

 when he is ojff his guard. But he has a wholesome fear of 

 the human eye, and is not dangerous so long as he can be 

 kept in sight. 



Even, says Mr. Wood, in those rare instances when the 

 puma, impelled by fierce hunger, emerges from the shelter 



