THE PUMA. 



request, and finds a ready sale among furriers, who know it by the name of the Tiger- 

 cat. 



The ground color of the Serval's fur is of a bright golden tint, sobered with a wash 

 of grey. The under portions of the body and the inside of the limbs are nearly white. 

 Upon this ground are placed numerous dark spots, which occasionally coalesce and 

 form stripes. In number and size they are very variable. The ears are black, with a 

 broad white band across them, and from their width at the base, they give the animal a 

 very quaint aspect when it stands with its head erect. 



In disposition, the Serval appears to be singularly docile, and even more playful 

 than the generality of the sportive tribe of cats. It is not a very large animal, measur- 

 ing about eighteen inches in height, and two feet in length, exclusive of the tail, which 

 is ten inches long, and covered with thick, bushy fur. 



SERVAL. -Leopart/i/s Servaf. 



Few animals have been known by such a variety of names as the PUMA of America. 



Travellers have indifferently entitled it the American Lion, the Panther, the Couguar, 

 the Carcajou (which is an entirely different animal), the Gouazouara, the Cuguacurana, 

 and many other names besides. For the name of Lion, the Puma is indebted to its 

 uniform tawny color, so different from the conspicuous streaks and spots which deco- 

 rate the fur of its congeners. It was entitled a Panther, on account of its pardine 

 habits, which are almost identical with those of the spotted leopards of both conti- 

 nents. The word Couguar is a Gallican abbreviation of the Paraguay word Gouazou- 

 ara ; and then the names Carcajou and Quinquajou are simply instances of mistaken 

 identity. The Anglo-Americans compromise the matter by calling the creature a 

 " painter." 



It is rather a large animal, but, on account of its small head, appears to be a less 

 powerful creature than really is the case. The total length of the Puma is about six 

 feet and a half, of which the tail occupies rather more than two feet. The tip of the 

 tail is black, but is destitute of the black tuft of long hair which is so characteristic of 

 the true lion. Its limbs are extremely thick and muscular, as needs be for an animal 

 whose life is spent almost entirely in climbing trees, and whose subsistence is gained 

 only by the exercise of mingled activity and force. 





