‘ J. AMR. AC IT S' 
183 
was withdrawn. Two large and richly -coloured 
Patagonian pumas, a pair of leopards, and several 
striped hyenas, and small jungle and civet cats 
occupied the same gallery. Of these, the pumas 
were perfectly tame, as safe to caress and as willing 
to be petted as a cat. They do not even catch the 
infection of ill-temper from other animals ; and the 
writer observed a puma arching its back and rubbing 
its face against an attendant’s hand, quite unmoved 
by the hostile growls of the panther, its neighbour. 
These pumas had probably been domesticated for 
some time, and a certain proportion of the fiercer 
animals which arrive at the docks must have been 
in captivity for some time previous to shipment. 
Men who habitually deal with wild animals are quick 
to see the difference between the savage and the 
half-tamed beast. Van Ambrugh, the celebrated lion- 
tamer, is said to have called at Jamrach’s to purchase 
a leopard. He soon selected one from the boxes, 
and when asked how he would like it to be sent, 
produced a steel chain and collar from the pocket 
of his greatcoat. He then opened the box, dragged 
the leopard out, put on the collar, and hauled it down 
the passage and into a four-wheeled cab, in which 
he drove off to Astley’s with his purchase. The 
strange medley of animal forms in the upper 
chambers, the gleam of green and yellow eyes in 
their dusky recesses, and the juxtaposition of creatures 
whose natural instinct is inveterately hostile, with 
others which are their common prey, give to the 
