118 
THE STORY OF THE MOUNTAIN LION . 
ticated was one killed in Texas in the year 1846, of which the total length 
was 8 feet 2 inches, the length of the tail being 3 feet 1 inch. A stuffed speci¬ 
men measures 9 feet 1 inch in total length. I believe that the length may in 
some instances be as much as 11 feet. 
In the parts of South America where cattle and horses are largely bred 
the puma is a terrible scourge. Indeed, so partial is it to horse-flesh, that in 
some parts of Patagonia it is almost impossible to breed horses owing to> the 
destruction of their colts. An instance is related of a puma springing on a colt 
among a drove in charge of a driver, and killing it so- suddenly by dislocation 
of the neck that the unfortunate animal was actually dead before it fell to the 
ground. It further appears that in districts where pumas abound the semi¬ 
wild horses of South America can scarcely maintain their existence, owing to 
the slaughter of their colts. The puma does not, however, confine its ravages 
