THE JAGUAR AND THE PUMA. 79 



reported to exist as far south as the cold latitude of Terra del 

 Fuego. It is to be found in the mountainous range of the Andes 

 at an altitude of 9000 feet. In its northern limits the increase of 

 population is making it a very scarce animal, but it is still 

 numerous in South America, for it is stated that 100 were cap- 

 tured in three months within one small district. Mr. Murphy' 

 observes it is quite common in the wooded regions around the 

 Rocky Mountains, and that its sharp high screams in early morn- 

 ing frequently send the blood bounding through the veins of the 

 wanderer amongst those forest depths. 



The puma is of a reddish-brown or elegant grey colour, some- 

 what resembling a very small lioness or a very large domestic cat. 

 When young, it is marked with darkish-brown spots, but they 

 soon disappear, and the fur of the adult animal, which is soft and 

 dense, has no conspicuous markings. 



Although called the American lion, it has but little resemblance 

 of structure to the African animal, and not only is it much 

 smaller, but it is devoid of both the mane and the tuft on the ex- 

 tremity of the tail. Its head is also small and unlike the larger 

 animals of the feline group. When full-grown it generally 

 measures about three feet, and the tail about two feet; but in 

 Florida and Texas it sometimes attains v§ry much larger pro- 

 portions, and one was shot in December, 1873, that measured nine 

 feet four inches in length and weighed 240 pounds. It is a pecu- 

 liarly silent animal when in captivity, for it rarely utters a sound, 

 and never when it does so giving vent to a roar or growl, but to 

 a low, hissing cry. In its wild state, however, it sometimes gives 

 tongue, for the above author says although it is " not often a dan- 

 gerous foe until brought to bay or roused by hunger, owing to its 

 natural cautiousness and timidity of character, yet its shrieks are 

 so loud and penetrating that no person can hear them without 

 feeling a thrill run through his body, and, if unarmed, without 

 taking excellent care to avoid an encounter with it if possible." 



In their lithe and graceful movements they are perfect cats. 

 When lounging on the tree-trunks in their out-door cage, or when 

 gambolling about at playj their actions exhibit motion in one of 

 ' " Sporting Adventures in the Far West." 1879. 



