COUGAR. 
ing from the present in size and conformation. 
It is, indeed, a vain endeavour, to attempt to 
describe all the less obvious varieties in the cat 
kind. If we examine them minutely, we shall 
find the differences multiply upon us so much, 
.that instead of a history, we shall only be paid 
with a catalogue of distinflions. From such 
of them as I have seen within these last six 
years, I think I could add two animals of this 
species, that have not been hitherto described, 
and with the names of which he that shewed 
them was utterly unacquainted. But it is a 
poor ambition ! that of being eager to nnd out 
new distindlions, or adding one noxious ani- 
mal more to a list that is already suiEcientlv 
numerous. Were the knowing a new variety 
to open an unknown historv, or in the least to 
extend our knowledge, the enquiry would be 
then worth pursuing; but what signifies men- 
tioning some trifling dlfrercnce, and from 
thence becoming the authors of a new name, 
when the difference might linve originallv pra- 
cccded either from climate, soil, or indiscrimi- 
r-atc copulation 
Though little could fiill from the pen of Dr, 
Goldsmith, 
