The Cat Tribe. 87 



' Ordinary dogs would fall a prey to this trap, but 

 not the self-taught tiger-dogs. Their fine powers of 

 scent warn them of their near approach to the quarry, 

 when they advance with great caution, never failing to 

 detect the tiger in time, and when once their eye is 

 upon their enemy it has no chance of escape. 



' In its pride of strength the jaguar scorns the dogs, 

 and, with a rush like a ball from a cannon, springs 

 at one of them, feeling sure that it cannot escape. 



' It has reckoned, however, without its host, for the 

 dog eludes the spring witli ease, and with great quick- 

 ness flies on the tiger's flank, giving it a severe nip. 

 As the tiger turns with a growl of pain and disappoint- 

 ment, the dog is off to a little distance, yelping lustily, 

 and never remaining still an instant, but darting first 

 on one side and then on the other. After one or two 

 ineffectual charges the tiger gives it up, and on the 

 approach of the hunter springs into the nearest 

 suitable tree, which it seldom leaves alive.' 



The jaguar is very tenacious of life, and even when 

 mortally wounded will often travel to a considerable 

 distance before it succumbs to its hurt. 



This animal seems more easily tamed than most of 

 the larger members of the Cat tribe, and becomes 

 thoroughly domesticated, following its master like a 

 dog, and allowing all manner of liberties to be taken 

 with it without resenting them. 



The Puma ( Leopardus concolor) is the next of 

 importance among the members of the Cat tribe. 

 This animal is known under a bewildering variety of 

 names, among which may be mentioned the American 

 Lion, th Panther (or ' Painter '), the Cougar, and the 

 Goua/ouara. Sometimes, too, it is erroneously 

 termed the Carcajou, which is one of the deer tribe, 

 and also the Kinkajou, a remarkable animal belong- 

 ing to the ursine group 



