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THE PUMA 
both with regard to the color of its fur and the elegant contour of its body. The short, puffy 
tail, however, rather detracts from the general effect of the living animal. On account of the 
bold variegations of the Serval’s fur, its skin is in great request, and finds a ready sale among 
furriers, who know it by the name of the Tiger-cat. 
The ground color of the Serval’s fur is of a bright golden tint, sobered with a wash of gray. 
The under portions of the body and the inside of the limbs are nearly white. Upon this ground 
are placed numerous dark spots, which occasionally coalesce and form stripes. In number 
HTSSN KL.—Leopardus served. 
and size they are very variable. The ears are black, with a broad white band across them, and 
from their width at the base, they give the animal a very quaint aspect when it stands with 
its head erect. 
In disposition, the Serval appears to be singularly docile, and even more playful than the 
generality of the sportive tribe of cats. It is not a very large animal, measuring about eighteen 
inches in height, and two feet in length, exclusive of the tail, which is ten inches long, and 
covered with thick, bushy fur. 
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 Panther, the Cougar, the 
Carcajou (which is an entirely different animal), the Gouazouara, the Cuguacurana, and many 
other names besides. For the name of Lion, the Puma is indebted to its uniform tawny color, 
so different from the conspicuous streaks and spots which decorate the fur of its congeners. 
It was entitled a Panther, on account of its pardine habits, which are almost identical with 
those of the spotted leopards of both continents. The word Cougar is a Gallican abbreviation 
of the Paraguay word Gouazouara ; and then the names Carcajou and Quinquajou are simply 
instances of mistaken identity. The Anglo-Americans compromise the matter by calling the 
creature a “painter.” 
It is rather a large animal, but, on account of its small head, appears to be a less powerful 
creature than really is the case. The total length of the Puma is about six feet and a half, of 
