46 ZHE TIGER CATS. 
The flesh of this animal is said, by those who have made trial of it, to bea 
pleasant addition to the diet scale, being white, tender, and of good flavour. 
When taken young, the Puma is peculiarly susceptible of domestication, and 
has been known to follow its master just like a dog. The hunters of the 
Pampas are expert Puma slayers, and achieve their end either by catching 
the bewildered animal with a lasso, and then galloping off with the poor 
creature hanging at the end of the leather cord, or by flinging the celebrated 
dolas—metal balls or stones fastened to a rope—at the Puma, and laying it 
senseless on the ground with a blow from the heavy weapon. 
Many of the members of the large genus Leopardus are classed together 
under the title of OCELOTS, or, more popularly of TIGER CaTs. They are 
all most beautiful animals, their fur being diversified with brilliant contrasts 
of a dark spot, streak, or dash upon a lighter ground, and their actions filled 
with easy grace and elegance. 
The common OCELOT is a native of the tropical regions of America, where 
it is found in some profusion. In length it rather exceeds four feet, of which 
the tail occupies a considerable portion. Its height averages eighteen inches. 
The ground colour of the fur is a very 
light greyish fawn, on which are 
drawn partially broken bands of a 
very deep fawn colour, edged with 
black, running along the line of the 
body. The band that extends along 
the spine is unbroken. On the head, 
neck, and the inside of the limbs, 
the bands are broken up into spots 
and dashes, which are entirely black, 
the fawn tint in their centre being 
totally merged in the deeper hue; 
the ears are black, with the ex- 
ception of a conspicuous white spot 
upon the back and near the base of 
each ear. Owing to the beauty of 
OCELOT. the fur, the Ocelot skin is in great 
request for home use and exporta- 
tion, and is extensively employed in the manufacture of various fancy articles 
of dress or luxury. ee 
Inits habits the Ocelot is quick, active, and powerful, proving itself at all 
points a true leopard, although but in miniature. ; ; 
The eye of the Ocelot is a pale yellowish brown, and tolerably full, with 
the linear pupil smaller than is found in the ordinary Felide. ; 
There are several species of these pretty and agile animals, among which 
the most conspicuous are the Common, the Grey, and Painted Ocelots, and 
the Margay, or Marjay,,as it is sometimes called, The habits of these ani- 
mals are very similar. . 
Although so gentle in its demeanour when domesticated as to have earned 
for itself the name of “ AZétis,” or “ placid,” the Chati is, when wild, a suffi- 
ciently destructive animal. Itis not quite so large as the ocelots, with which 
creatures it is a compatriot. : 
The colour of the Chati resembles that of the leopard, only is paler in 
general hue. The dark patches that diversify the body are very irregular— 
those which run along the back are solid, and of a deep black, while those 
which are placed along the sides have generally a deep fawn-coloured centre, 
Towards the extremity of the tail, the spots change into partial rings, which 
nearly, but not quite, surround the tail, All specimens, however, are not 
