THE PUMA. 
151 
'Hsicle the legs, and under the belly, the fur is 
y^ite, and tolerably thick. The eye is a green- 
yellow, and, when his attention is strongly 
®^cited, it is very large and animated. 
The puma, in his wild state, is very fierce 
^'^'1 destructive. In the vast forests of South 
Billerica, he is said to hunt all the smaller 
'I'ladrupeds indiscriminately ; but dornestic 
^^ttle, especially oxen and pigs, are his favour- 
prey. He will swim rivers, and penetrate 
villages, at night, to attack these animals 
their enclosures ; and, when closely pressed, 
^''*11 plunge into rapid torrents, with a hog or 
^ young calf in its mouth. But this is not 
Ihe general practice of the puma, who prefers 
stratagem to open force. He will, for in- 
stance, await the approach of the moose or 
^ther deer, crouching among the lower 
^'^anches of tall trees, on the banks of rivers 
the margins of ravines, and thence leap or 
tather drop upon his victim, fastening upon 
