150 
the puma. 
long, and supported by legs of great strength' 
and of a bulk disproportionate to the triin^'' 
Its countenance, like that of the wild cat 
Europe, is cunning, cruel, and unsteady ; 
action abrupt ; its gait restless ; its eye insi' 
dious and timid. It is nevertheless a beauti' 
ful animal, and perhaps a finer specimen 
never brought to this country than that wbic^’ 
inhabits the Zoological Gardens, which ap' 
pears quite mild and playful, sleeping t¥ 
greater part of the day, but sometimes risino^ 
when interrupted by a stranger, and kicking 
about a little ball in its cage. Its fur is of ^ 
rich, silvery, fawn colour on the head, bac^ 
tail, and legs ; and in this unity of colour aO^ 
the absence of spots its fancied resemblance t'’ 
the hon no doubt originated. This animal 
about five feet long from the nose to the in' 
sertion of the tail, which is about two ftet 
more, of uniform thickness, and without tuf* 
at the end. Under the throat, on the breas^ 
