ORDER CARNASSIER. 437 



bably, to have been borrowed from that proper to another 

 animal *. The Linnaean epithets, Concolor and Discolor, 

 have, likewise, no appropriate meaning ; but Puma is its 

 native name. Its length, from the nose to the root of the 

 tail, is about five feet ; and its height, from the bottom of 

 the foot to the shoulder, twenty-six inches and a half; 

 hence it is longer in the body and lower on the legs than 

 the Lion, but it differs from that species more particularly 

 in the shape of the head, which is small and round, and not 

 square, as in F. Leo. 



D'Azara says this animal is less ferocious, and more easy 

 to be killed than the Jaguar ; it lies concealed in the under- 

 wood, and does not have recourse to caverns for shelter 

 like the Jaguar. Unlike this animal also, the Puma ascends 

 and descends the highest trees with celerity and ease, 

 though it may be considered in general rather as an inha- 

 bitant of the plains than of the forests. He states also 

 that it is not known to attack a mant» or even a dog, but 

 avoids both with great timidity. Its depredations are ge- 

 nerally confined to quadrupeds of a middling size, as calves, 

 sheep, fyc. ; but against these its ferocity is more insatiable 

 than its appetite, destroying many at an attack, but carry- 

 ing away perhaps only one. If it have more than sufficient 

 for a meal, it will cover and conceal the residue for a se- 

 cond repast ; in which it differs also from the Jaguar, 

 which is not so provident. 



D'Azara possessed a tame Puma, which was as gentle as 

 any Dog, but very inactive. It would play with any one ; 

 and if an orange were presented to it, would strike it with 

 the paw, push it away, and seize it again, in the manner 

 of a Cat playing with a Mouse. It had all the manners of 



* See the Eira. 



t BufFon states that it will seize a Man if it find him sleeping, 

 which Azara denies. 



