THECATTRIBE. 63 



from the usual habits of the Felidse, as to enter the water after 

 fish, and to capture them in shallow places. There have been in- 

 stances of the domestic cat acting in the same manner. 



The Puma inhabits the whole of America, where it is held 

 in much dread by the natives. Its color is an uniform grey, fading 

 into white on the under parts of its body, and this similarity of 

 color is the reason that the name " concolor" has been given to it 

 It lives much on trees, and usually lies along the branches, where 

 its uniform dusky fur renders it so like the bark that it can scarcely 

 be distinguished from the branch. This habit it preserves when 

 in captivity, and many persons pass its den in the London Zoological 

 Gardens, fancying it empty, while the puma is lying along its shelf 

 unobserved. 



Mr. Eaton Stone, the celebrated equestrian who has tra- 

 velled for many years in the wilder parts of America, says that 

 the puma is accustomed to follow men by scent, and to track them 

 on their journey, waiting for an opportunity to spring upon them 

 unobserved. If the traveller keeps his eye on the animal it is 

 perfectly harmless, but it will wait for the moment when his eye is 

 withdrawn to spring upon him. 



The Ocelot is the fiercest, and, for its size, one of the 

 most destructive animals in the world. It is a native of South 

 America, and by no means capable of the same education is the 

 ounce, which it more approaches in size than in disposition. Two 

 of these were carried to England from Carthagena, and having been 

 taken from the dam when very young were afterwards suckled by 

 a bitch. But, before they were three months old, they had strength 

 and ingratitude enough to kill and devour their nurse. Their suc- 

 ceeding fierceness and malignity seemed to correspond with their 

 first efforts; for no arts could tame or soften their natures; and 

 while they continued in their cages, they still testified an unceasing 

 disposition for slaughter. When their food was given them, the 

 male always served himself before the female would venture to 

 touch a bit; and it was not till he was satisfied that the other began. 

 1 The Ocelot is about two feet and a half in length, from the 

 nose to the insertion of the tail. It is extremely like a cat, except 



5* 



