THE WILD CAT OF MUSKOKA 189 



with fright and pain, and makes violent efforts to 

 shake off the foe. The jaguar begins to devour 

 it while yet alive, and growls and roars over 

 its prey until hunger is appeased. The jaguar 

 is incorrectly called the wild cat in the Southern 

 State of Texas. 



The cougar is generally known by the name 

 of panther, or painter. His courage is not great, 

 and unless very hungry, or when wounded and at 

 bay, he seldom attacks man. The cougar is not 

 plentiful in Muskoka, and only once did I have 

 an exciting adventure with one. 



This was in the early part of December (1889), 

 when I chanced to be driving from Utterson to 

 Port Carling. The snow had fallen and frozen 

 hard, and the sleighing was decidedly good. The 

 journey was pleasant, and my Indian ponies drew 

 me swiftly over the smooth surface. I had passed 

 the small clearing of George Mahon and was 

 nearing Port Carling when suddenly I became 

 aware of some large cat-like animal bounding 

 towards me from a sloping bank on the left. 

 The moon was shining at the full, and as I looked 

 at this curious creature I became alarmed to note 

 that, though I was driving very fast, the wonderful 

 bounds of the wild cat made it appear as though 



