CARNIVORA, 
of the natives are occasionally found hardy enough 
to approach it with the left arm covered with a 
sheepskin, and to spear it with the others a temerity 
which is frequently followed with fatal consequences 
to the hunter. 
The traveller who is unfortunate enough to meet 
this formidable beast, especially if it be after sunset, 
has but little time for consideration. Should it be 
urged to attack by the cravings of appetite, it is not 
any noise, or a firebrand, that will save him. Scarcely 
any thing but the celerity of a musket-ball will an- 
ticipate its murderous purpose. The aim must be 
quick and steady; and life or death depends on the 
result. 
As population extends, animals of this description, 
in particular, are lessened in number ; for, with all 
their natural powers of body, they are no match for 
the artificial resources of man. Accordingly, many 
parts of South America, which were once grievously 
pestered with jaguars, are now almost freed from 
them, or are only occasionally troubled with their 
destructive incursions. 
Azara was once informed, that a jaguar ha,d at- 
tacked a horse, near the place where he was. He 
ran to the spot, and found that the horse was killed, 
and part of his breast devoured ; and that the jaguar, 
having probably been disturbed, had fled. He then 
caused the body of the horse to be drawn within 
musket-shot of a tree, in which he intended to pass 
the night, anticipating that the jaguar would return 
in the course of it to its victim : but while he was 
