148 



THE PUMA. 



both with regard to the color of its fur and the elegant contour of its body. The short, puffy 

 tail, however, rather detracts from the general effect of the living animal. On account of the 

 bold variegations of the Serval' s fur, its skin is in great request, and finds a ready sale among 

 furriers, who know it by the name of the Tiger-cat. 



The ground color of the Serval' s fur is of a bright golden tint, sobered with a wash of gray. 

 The under portions of the body and the inside of the limbs are nearly white. Upon this ground 

 are placed numerous dark spots, which occasionally coalesce and form stripes. In number 



s^ife^^^^^^^Ks 



SERVAL.— Leopardus serval. 



and size they are very variable. The ears are black, with a broad white band across them, and 

 from their width at the base, they give the animal a very quaint aspect when it stands with 

 its head erect. 



In disposition, the Serval appears to be singrdarly docile, and even more playful than the 

 generality of the sportive tribe of cats. It is not a very large animal, measuring about eighteen 

 inches in height, and two feet in length, exclusive of the tail, which is ten inches long, and 

 covered with thick, bushy fur. 



Few animals have been known by such a variety of names as the Puma of America. 



Travellers have indifferently entitled it the American Lion, the Panther, the Cougar, the 

 Carcajou (which is an entirely different animal), the Gouazouara, the Cuguacurana, and many 

 other names besides. For the name of Lion, the Puma is indebted to its uniform tawny color, 

 so different from the conspicuous streaks and spots which decorate the fur of its congeners. 

 It was entitled a Panther, on account of its pardine habits, which are almost identical with 

 those of the spotted leopards of both continents. The woid Cougar is a Gallican abbreviation 

 of the Paraguay word Gouazouara ; and then the names Carcajou and Quinquajou are simply 

 instances of mistaken identity. The Anglo-Americans compromise the matter by calling the 

 creature a "painter." 



It is rather a large animal, but, on account of its small head, appears to be a less powerful 

 creature than really is the case. The total length of the Puma is about six feet and a half, of 



