198 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



throat, and all the inferior parts of its body, are whitiih : 

 Its legs are long; claws white; and the outer claw of 

 the fore feet much longer than the others. 



It is found in many parts of North-America, from Ca- 

 nada to Florida : It is alfo common in Guiana, Brazil, 

 and Mexico. 



It is fierce and ravenous in the extreme •, and will 

 fwim rivers to attack cattle, even in their inclofures. — In 

 North-America, its fury feems to be fubdued by the ri- 

 gour of the climate ; for it will fly from a dog in com- 

 pany with its mailer, and take fhelter by running up a 

 tree. 



It is very deflructive to domeftic animals, particularly 

 to Hogs. It preys alfo upon the Moofe and other Deer ; 

 lies lurking upon the branch of a tree till fome of thefe 

 animals pafs underneath, when it drops down upon one 

 of them, and never quits its hold till it has drunk its 

 blood. It will even attack beafts of prey. > In the Mu- 

 feum of the Royal Society is preferved the fkin of one of 

 thefe animals, which was (hot juft as it had feized a 

 Wolf. — When fatisfied with eating, it conceals the reft 

 of the carcafe, covering it carefully with leaves. — — It 

 purrs like a Cat, and fometimes howls dreadfully. 



The fur is foft, and is ufed by the Indians for a win- 

 ter habit ; when dreffed, it is made into gloves and fhoes. 

 The flefh is white, and, by the natives, reckoned excel- 

 lent food. 



The Couguar, when brought into captivity, is almoft 

 as gentle as the domeftic Cat, allows itfelf to be careffed, 



and will permit boys to mount on its back. It is 



fometimes called the Poltron Tiger, 



