THE PUMA. 45 
several most beautiful and graceful creatures, of which the JAGUAR is the 
largest and most magnificent example. 
Closeiy resembling the leopard in external appearance, and in its arboreal 
habits, it seems to play the same part in America as the leopard in the trans- 
atlantic continents. It is a larger animal than the leopard, and may be dis- 
tinguished from that animal by several characteristic differences. 
In the first place, across the breast of the Jaguar are drawn two or three 
bold black streaks, which are never seen in the leopard, and which alone 
serve as an easy guide to the species. But the chief point of distinction is 
found in a small mark that exists in the centre of the dark spots which cover 
the body and sides. In many instances this central mark is double, and, in 
order to give room for it, the rosettes are very large in proportion to those of 
the leopard. Along the spine runs a line, or chain, of black spots and 
dashes, extending from the back of the head to the first foot, or eighteen 
inches of the tail. 
In its native land the Jaguar ranges the dense and perfumed forests in search 
of the various creatures which fall victims. to its powerful claws. The list of 
animals that compose its bill of fare isa large and comprehensive one, includ- 
ing horses, deer, monkeys, capybaras, tapirs, birds of various kinds, turtles, 
lizards, and fish ; thus comprising examples of all the four orders of verte- 
brated animals. Nor does the Jaguar confine himself to the vertebrates. 
Various shell-fish, insects, and other creatures fall victims to the insatiate 
appetite of this ravenous animal. 
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 Pan- 
ther, the Couguar, the Car- 
cajou (which is an entirely 
different animal), the Gou- 
azoura, the Cuguacurana, 
and, many other names. 
Itis rather a large animal, 
but, on account of its ‘small 
head, appears to be a less 
powerful creature than real- 
ly is the case. The total 
length of the Pum iis about 
six feet and a half, of which 
thetail occupies rathermore 
than two feet. The tip of 
the tail is black, but is des- 
titute of the long tuft of 
black hair which is so cha- 
racteristic of the lion. 
The colour of the Puma is a uniform light tawny tint, deeper in some indi- 
viduals than in others, and fading into a greyish. white on the under parts. 
It is remarkable that the young Puma displays a gradual change in its fur, 
nearly in the same way as has been narrated of the lion cub. While the 
Puma cubs are yet in their first infancy, their coat is marked with several 
rows of dark streaks extending along the back and sides, and also bears upon 
the neck, sides, and shoulders many dark spots resembling those of the ordi- 
nary leopard. But, as the animal increases in size, the spots fade away, and, 
when it has attained its perfect development, are altogether lost in the uniform 
tawny hye of the fur, : 
