THE JAGUAR. 



41 



nimbly as it runs upon the ground, place almost 

 every living creature witliin its grasp. 



Dreadful indeed would be its attacks were its 

 powers increased many times, as would be the 

 case did numbers of such formidable animals con- 

 sort and seek their prey together. 



But nature is ever true to herself, and when- 

 ever any creature is endowed witli special pow- 

 ers of destruction, it is held in check, as it were, 



by the bestowal of desire for a solitary exis- 

 tence. 



Beautiful and gentle indeed does this savage 

 animal appear, as depicted in the accompanying 

 illustration, and we can almost hear its low- 

 breathed purr of satisfaction as it enjoys the 

 cooling influence of the placid stream beneath its 

 retreat, and slumbers away the sultry hours in its 

 accustomed noonday siesta. 



