ORDER OF CARNIVORA. 
379 
its master ? It lias been said that it is more attached to localities 
than persons ; we know of numerous exceptions to this. 
The Cat possesses qualities which alienate it from all our sym- 
pathies, viz., cowardice and dishonesty. It is also distrustful : this 
we can least pardon. Man dislikes suspicion, as it is an offence 
against his honour, and an insult to his good intentions. When 
we compare the Dog and the Cat, so different from each other, 
aversion to the one and attachment to the other results. To the 
distrustful gaze of the Cat is opposed the confiding, frank eye of 
the Dog ; and to the noble qualities in the latter we oppose the 
objectionable ones in the former. 
No animal is more savage than the Cat when threatened by 
chastisement or danger. For when it sees no chance of escape, it 
defends itself with energy that cannot be surpassed. So long as 
its enemy keeps at a respectful distance, it confines itself to a 
passive resistance, watching, however, for the slightest indica- 
tion of hostility, and holding itself ready for every emergency. 
Should its adversary advance to seize it, with wonderful activity 
it strikes with its terrible claws, at the same time expressing 
anger with its voice. It nearly always comes off victorious, unlses 
over-matched, for its agility renders escape almost certain. 
The Cat is less an enemy of the Dog than is generally believed. 
When unacquainted with one another, they have little sympathy 
in common ; but when associated for a length of time they become 
good friends. Then they lick each other, sleep on each other, 
and understand making mutual concessions, which enable them 
to live in peace ; in short, the most perfect harmony frequently 
reigns between them. Every one who keeps Cats and Dogs can 
testify to the correctness of these assertions. 
The Jaguar ( Leopardm onca ), Fig. 146, also called the 
American Tiger, is the largest carnivorous animal of the New 
World. It almost equals the Tiger in size, strength, and blood- 
thirstiness ; it measures nearly seven feet from the end of the 
nose to the root of the tail. It is not zebra-striped like the 
Tiger, but spotted in the same manner as the Panther. Its mark- 
ings are most numerous on the head, thighs, legs, and back, but 
always irregular in shape ; on the flanks they are concentric, like a 
rose, with a black point in the middle. The ground colour of the 
coat is of a bright tawny hue above, and white beneath. 
