78 
THE CHATI. 
replied Miss Louisa. “I think I could 
never feel safe with any such creature at 
liberty in the house. However gentle they 
may appear, there is no telling when the 
wild fierce nature may assert itself. 
“The chati, another South American tiger- 
cat, is even more gentle than the ocelot, and 
has been many times domesticated. It is 
about a third larger than the domestic cat, 
of a pale yellow, and marked with dark 
stripes and patches. The expression of its 
face is very mild and pleasing. Don Felix 
D’Azara, a Spanish gentleman who resided 
a long time in Brazil, and who has left a 
very interesting account of his travels and 
observations, saw a number of these animals, 
and gives a very full account of them. He 
states that, though the species is very com¬ 
mon, it is seldom met with, owing to its very 
shy habits ; and he doubts whether any ani¬ 
mal conceals itself more effectually. He 
describes it as ‘remaining by day in the 
most impenetrable places, and as coming 
forth after nightfall, especially upon dark 
stormy nights, when the chibiguazuas,’ as 
they are called, daringly enter the corrals 
and court-yards,—though no instance is 
