116 



ANIMALS IN MENAGERIES. 



of the neck, shoulders, throat, and inside of the hmbs 

 are covered with numerous close small spots ; and there 

 is a narrow black bar crossinge th lower part of the 

 throat. These characters are thus seen to be interme- 

 diate between the jaguar of America and the panthers 

 and leopards of the Old World. 



The True Ocelot. 



Fells Pardalis, Linn., IL Smith. {Fig. 15.) 



There seems to be as much uncertainty regarding the 

 different species or varieties of the ocelots, as that we 

 just noticed respecting the leopards and panthers. We 

 shall not, however, enter into lengthened scientific de- 

 tails ; but avail ourselves of the general observations 

 made upon the whole group by the accomplished natur- 

 alist, so often cited, who has so ably investigated this 

 family. 



The ocelots in general, as a small but very natural 

 group among the middle-sized carnivorous animals, are 

 distinguished by yellow spots more or less oval, bor- 

 dered with black. Some writers, among whom is Azara, 

 consider that all may be referred to one species ; while 

 others, with major Smith, are more disposed to view them 

 as a group, composed of five or six permanent races. To 

 this latter opinion we are more disposed to agree than 

 to the former. 



Major Smith gives us the following interesting ob- 

 servations upon these animals : — " My present views of 

 the ocelots are, that they form a subordinate group in 

 this family. I would describe tliem, generally, as 

 being of a middle size between the larger and the small 



