182 



THE OCELOT. 



its fur lies closely to the body, and only presents its black surface to the eye* But if it 

 is excited, and sets up its fur after the manner of an angry cat, the white markings of 

 the hair immediately become visible. It is said to be a very savage animal when wild. 

 It is a native of Guiana, and several specimens have been brought to this country. 



The MARBLED CAT partakes more of the proverbial pardine spotted character than 

 either of the two preceding animals, and although not so finely marked as the beautiful 

 Ocelots, or Tiger Cats, possesses a fur prettily diversified with dark spots upon a light 

 ground. The ground of the fur is generally of a grayish tawny, on which are scattered 

 many spots, not so sharply defined as those of the leopard, or the Tiger Cats. It is an 

 inhabitant of Malacca. 



MARBLED CAT. Lcopardus Marmoratus. 



MANY of the members of the large genus Leopardus, are classed together under the 

 title of Ocelots, or, more popularly, of Tiger Cats. They are all most beautiful 

 animals, their fur being diversified with brilliant contrasts of a dark spot, streak, or dash 

 upon a lighter ground, and their actions filled with easy grace and elegance. 



The common OCELOT is a native of the tropical regions of America, where it is found 

 in some profusion. In length it rather exceeds four feet, of which the tail occupies a 

 considerable portion. Its height averages eighteen inches. The ground color of the fur 

 is a very light grayish-fawn, on which are drawn partially broken bands of a very deep 

 fawn-color, edged with black, running along the line of the body. The band that extends 

 along the spine is unbroken. On the head, neck, and the inside of the limbs, the bands 

 are broken up into spots and dashes, which are entirely black, the fawn tint in their 

 centre being totally merged in the deeper hue ; the ears are black, with the exception of 

 a conspicuous white spot upon the back and near the base of each ear. Owing to the 

 beauty of the fur, the Ocelot skin is in great request for home use and exportation, and 

 is extensively employed in the manufacture of various fancy articles of dress or luxury. 



In its habits the Ocelot is quick, active, and powerful, proving itself at all points a 

 true leopard, although but in miniature. 



