14 
THE OCELOT 
I and has been known, when near human habitations, to carry off 
| children. The cougar has also been known to tear open as many 
as fifty sheep at one time, not for the purpose of devouring their 
) flesh, hut in order to suck the blood, of which he is very fond, 
j and which has such an intoxicating influence over him, that as 
| soon as the appetite is satiated, he falls asleep on the spot. The 
) method of seizing his prey is by crawling stealthily on his belly 
j through shrubs and hushes until he can reach his victim, when 
) he suddenly springs on its back and tears it to pieces. He is 
| cowardly in his mode of attack, and generally springs from be- 
j hind his victim. 
THE OCELOT. 
^Khis animal is found in Brazil and other parts of S. America. 
I) It is voracious, but timid, and seldom attacks men ; if pur- 
sued by dogs it seeks safety in flight to the woods. It re- 
sembles the domestic cat in conformation, altho* much larger — 
being nearly three feet long and about two feet high. Its haunts 
are chiefly in the mountains, where it conceals itself in the thick 
foliage of the trees, and, when an opportunity presents itself, 
darts upon such birds or small quadrupeds as come within its 
reach. The ocelot is strategic, too, for it often stretches itself 
along the limb or branch of a tree, as if dead, for the purpose of 
inveigling monkies, who, instigated by their inordinate curiosity, 
are sure to fall into the snare. The skin of the male Ocelot is 
remarkably beautiful and most elegantly variegated. Generally, 
