ORDER CARNASSIER. 455 



in different individuals, nor do the two sides of the same 

 animal always agree. 



Some inhabitants of South America describe two va- 

 rieties, corresponding in colour and general appearance, 

 but one of thern stands higher than the other, has the fore- 

 legs smaller, a fur not quite so bright, and a more gentle 

 disposition. Azara says, it is called Pope, but he thinks 

 they are but one; but Major C. H. Smith, whose long re- 

 sidence in America afforded him ample opportunity of 

 inquiry, satisfied himself there were two distinct varieties 

 of the Jaguar, differing principally in dimensions. 



The opposite figure is from his accurate pencil, from a 

 specimen recently killed in America. The type was, as he 

 believes, of the great Jaguar, which was shot in the act 

 of devouring a Peccary, in the woods of Surinam ; it mea- 

 sured two feet ten inches in height at the shoulder, but, 

 from its compact and heavy make, it appeared larger 

 than it was in reality. The spots do not strictly agree 

 with what either the Baron or M. Lichtenstein have fixed as 

 criteria; and Major Smith doubts whether any skin of this 

 variety (presuming it to be the Pope or large Jaguar) has ever 

 come under the observation of those indefatigable and ac- 

 curate observers. The line of lengthened spots on the back 

 was not quite full, and it seems probable, when they are so, 

 that it arises from nonage. The marks on the sides are 

 very irregular, and indefinable ; the eyes were small and 

 sunken; the whiskers very long; and the whole character 

 that of an aged animal. It was a male. The portrait is 



extremely 



relation to the several new or uncertain species which may be no- 

 ticed, and for which, however unwilling, he is in some degree 

 obliged to coin names, while inedited figures of the same may 

 already exist in the portfolios of zoologists, to which some other 

 name may have been appropriated. 



II * 



