THE CAT FAMILY.

All the different animals of this great family are alike in having short, powerful jaws armed with sharp teeth, and a rough bristling tongue, which feels like a rasp when it is drawn across the bare skin—wounding by mere licking; in their manner of walking on their toes, and in several other characteristics. The fiercest beasts of all the carnivorous animals are found in the Felidae family, which includes three groups—the Cat tribe, the Lynx and the Hunting Leopard. The Cat tribe includes, in the Old World, the Lion, Tiger, Panther, Leopard, Ounce, Serval, and Wild and Domestic Cats. In the New World are found the Domestic Cats, the Jaguar, Puma and Ocelot.

All these animals in the wild state prefer to feed on living victims, devouring their prey as they kill it. Although the various animals belonging to this great family differ much in size, they are all alike in their mode of attacking and killing their victims. They usually take them by surprise, for they do not have so much courage as people sometimes think. Crouched in some hidden retreat, they silently and patiently await their prey; and as soon as within reach, they spring upon it from behind, without allowing time for escape or defence.

WILD CATS.

It is usual to place the Lion at the head of this great Felidae family, which takes its name from the Latin felis, a cat; but it seems more appropriate to first describe the Wild and Domestic Cats, as these particular feline members have given the great family its name.

The Wild Cat is a reddish brown animal, marked with more or less distinct black stripes and spots.

Its length is about two feet. It does not differ in its habits from the larger members of this family. It climbs trees with agility, and feeds on Birds, Squirrels, Hares, Rabbits, &c. At one time it was very common in France and Scotland. It is found in nearly the whole of Europe, and a large portion of Asia.

There ought to be ranged beside the Wild Cat a multitude of species, which are only separated from it by differences in the color of the fur and length of hair, and which are its representatives in the countries it does not inhabit. Such are the Pampas Cat, the Bengal Cat, the Neptaul, the Egyptian Cat, the Serval Cat, the Caffir Cat, indigenous to the Cape, &c.

Certain authors are inclined to believe that the numerous varieties of the Domestic Cat have descended from the Wild Cat, and the Egyptian Cat. However this may be, there exist several kinds of well-characterised Domestic Cats. Such are the Spanish Cat, the Chartreuse Cat, the Red Cat of Tobolsk, the Angora Cat, the most highly prized of home pets, the Chinese Cat with pendant ears, and thetailless Malay Cat. The tails of Wild Cats terminate in an abrupt thick point, while the tails of Domestic Cats taper to a finer point.

The Domestic Cat is one of those few animals which has remained in a state of independence in its domesticity; it lives with Man, but still is not reduced to servitude. If it renders service, it is simply for its own interest to do so. That disinterestedness which distinguishes the Dog we do not find in the Cat. Whatever Buffon and others may have said, it is capable of affection; this attachment is only manifested by infrequent caresses, not by devotion. Has a Cat ever been known to defend its master? It has been said that it is more attached to localities than persons; yet we know of numerous exceptions to this.

ANGORA CAT.

No animal is more savage than the Cat when threatened by punishment 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 indication of hostility, and holding itself ready for every emergency. Should its adversary advance to seize it, with wonderful activity it strikes with its claws, at the same time expressing anger with its voice. It nearly always comes off victorious, unless 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 with each other, and understand making mutual concessions, which enablethem to live in peace; in short, the most perfect harmony frequently reigns between them.

The Lion has been called the “King of Beasts”from most ancient times, and this is a very appropriate title, if we consider the impression we usually have of this animal when viewed for the first time. He carries his head high and walks with a slowness which may well pass for majesty. He always appears calm and dignified and conscious of his strength. The bushy and magnificent mane which overshadows his head and neck gives an added grandeur to his appearance.

Some adult Lions have attained a length of nearly ten feet, from the tip of the nose to the root of the tail; but usually they do not exceed six or seven feet. With the exception of the mane and a tuft of hair at the tip of the tail, the coat of the Lion is entirely smooth, and of a tawny color. The mane, which gives this great “King of the Beasts” such a lordly appearance, is missing in his mate, who has a smooth neck and a smaller head, and is generally in proportion about one-fourth as large. The mother Lion is at her fiercest when her little ones are threatened with danger; at other times she shows very little of the Lion nature except when pressed by hunger.

The Lion has also been called the “Lord of the Forest,” but this is not an appropriate title, as he does not prefer the forest for a home. He lives in desert arid plains, lightly covered with shrubby vegetation or tracts of low brushwood. In India he prowls along the borders of rivers, and makes his lair in the jungles.

The Lion slumbers during the day in his retreat, and as night comes on he prowls abroad in search of prey. This is not because his eyes are unfitted to see in the daytime—like those of the majority of “night prowlers”—but he seems to think it prudent to keep at home until evening. When the first shadows of twilight appear, he enters upon his campaign. If there is a pool in the vicinity of his haunt, he places himself in ambush on the edge of it, with the hope of securing a victim among the Antelopes, Gazelles, Giraffes, Zebras, Buffaloes, &c., which are led thither to slake their thirst. These animals, well aware of this habit of their enemy, will not approach a pond without extreme caution. If one, however, places itself within reach of their terrible foe, its fate is generally sealed. One enormous bound enables the Lion to spring on its back, and one blow with his paw breaks its back. If the Lion misses his aim, he does not endeavor to continue a useless pursuit, well knowing that he cannot compete in speed with the children of the plains. He therefore skulks back into his hiding-place, to lie in ambush until some more fortunate chance presents itself, or complete night-fall shuts out all hope of success.

The Lion, however, is not disposed to remain long with an empty stomach. Then it is that he approaches Man’s habitations, with the hope of surprising the domestic animals. Fences ten feet in height form no obstacle to him, for he will bound over such with ease, when, falling into the midst of the herd, he seizes the nearest.

The amount of strength which he manifests under circumstances similar to these is really extraordinary. A Lion has been known, at the Cape of Good Hope, to carry off a small Cow as a Catwould a Mouse, and, with the burden, leap a wide ditch. It is almost impossible to conceive the muscular force necessary to jump a fence several feet high when carrying a load of several hundred-weight.

The audacity of the Lion increases in proportion to his requirement. When he has exhausted all means of procuring subsistence, and when he can no longer put off the cravings of hunger, he sets no limit to his aggressions, and will brave every danger rather than perish by famine. In open day he will then proceed to where the herds of Oxen and Sheep pasture, entirely disregarding Shepherds and Dogs. At such times he has been known to carry his rashness so far as to attack a drove of Buffaloes—an action which is all the bolder as a single one, unless it is taken by surprise, is well able to defend itself.

The Lion seems to delight in the tempests of wind and rain, so common in Southern Africa; his voice mingles with the thunder, and adds to the terror of the timid animals, on whom he then boldly advances. He usually, however, waits in ambush, or creeps insidiously towards his victim, which with a bound and a rush he dashes to the earth.

“In South Africa,” says Capt. Burton, “the Lion is seldom seen, unless surprised asleep in his lair of thicket; during my journey I saw but one, although at times his roaring was heard at night. Except in darkness or during violent storms, which excite the fiercer Carnivora, he is a timid animal, much less feared by the people than the angry and agile Leopard. When encountered in the daytime, he stands a second or two gazing; then turns slowly round and walks as slowly away for a dozen paces, looking over his shoulder; he then begins to trot, and when he thinks himself out of sight bounds like a Greyhound.”

If attacked, however, he will show fight as the following experience, not likely to be often repeated, will testify: “Being about thirty yards off the foe,” says Dr. Livingstone, “I took a good aim at his body, through the bush, and fired both barrels into it. The men then called out: ‘He is shot! he is shot!’ Others cried: ‘He has been shot by another man, too; let us go to him!’ I did not see any one else shoot at him; but I saw the Lion’s tail erected in anger behind the bush and, turning to the people, said: ‘Stop a little till I load again.’ When in the act of ramming down the bullets, I heard a shout. Starting and looking half round, I saw the Lion just in the act of springing upon me. I was upon a little height. He caught my shoulder as he sprang, and we both came to the ground below together. Growling horribly close to my ear, he shook me as a Terrier Dog does a Rat. The shock produced a stupor similar to that which seems to be felt by a Mouse after the first shake of the Cat. It caused a sort of dreaminess, in which there was no sense of pain or feeling of terror. It was like what patients partially under the influence of chloroform describe, who see all the operation, but feel not the knife. This singular condition was not the result of any mental process. The shake annihilated fear, and allowed no sense of horror in looking round at the beast. This peculiar state is probably produced in all animals killed by the Carnivora, and, if so, is a merciful provision by our Creator for lessening the pain of death. Turning round to relieve myself of the weight, as he had one paw on the back of my head, I saw his eyes directedto Mebalwe, who was trying to shoot him at the distance of fifteen yards. His gun, a flint one, missed fire in both barrels. The Lion immediately left me, and attacking Mebalwe,bit his thigh. Another man, whose life I had saved before, after he had been tossed by a Buffalo, attempted to spear the Lion while he was biting Mebalwe. He left Mebalwe and caught this man by the shoulder; but at that moment the bullets he had received had taken effect, and he fell down dead. The whole was the work of a few moments, and must have been his paroxysm of dying rage. In order to take out the charm from him, the Bakatla, on the following day, made a huge bonfire over the carcass, which they declared to be that of the largest Lion they had ever seen. Besides crunching the bone into splinters, he left eleven teeth-wounds in the upper part of my arm.”

Dr. Livingstone says: “The same feeling which has induced the modern painter to caricature the Lion, has led the sentimentalist to consider the Lion’s roar the most terrific of all earthly sounds. We hear of the majestic roar of the king of beasts. It is, indeed, well calculated to inspire fear, if you hear it in combination with the tremendously loud thunder of that country, on a night so pitchy dark that every flash of the intensely vivid lightning leaves you with the impression of stone-blindness, while the rain pours down so fast that your fire goes out, leaving you without the protection of even a tree, or the chance of your gun going off. But when you are in a comfortable house or wagon, the case is very different, and you hear the roar of the Lion without any awe or alarm.

“The silly Ostrich makes a noise as loud, yet it never was feared by man. To talk of the majestic roar of the Lion is mere majestic twaddle. On my mentioning this fact some years ago, the assertion was doubted; so I have been careful ever since to inquire the opinions of Europeans who had heard both, if they could detect any difference between the roar of a Lion and that of an Ostrich. The invariable answer was that they could not, when the animal was at a distance. The natives assert that they can detect a variation between the commencement of the noise of each. There is, it must be admitted, a considerable difference between the singing noise of a Lion when full, and his deep gruff voice when hungry. In general, the Lion’s voice seems to come deeper from the chest than that of the Ostrich; but to this day I can distinguish between them with certainty only by knowing that the Ostrich roars by day and the Lion by night.”

“Attempts to deprive the Lion of his prey are of frequent occurrence in the interior of Africa. Indeed, it is no unusual thing to find a number of natives residing near such pools of water as are frequented by Antelopes, other wild animals, and their constant attendant, the Lion, subsisting almost altogether in this way, or on carcasses which the Lion has not had time to devour before the return of day, when it is his habit to return to his lair.”

Mr. Anderson mentions, as a remarkable circumstance connected with a Rhinoceros hunt, that “While following the trail of the animal, we came to a spot where one or two Lions, probably taking advantage of his crippled condition, had evidently attacked him, and, after a desperate scuffle, had been compelled to retreat. This is the only instance I knowof Lions daring to attack a Rhinoceros, though I have seen it stated in print that they will not only assail, but can master the horned monster.”

In former times Lions were numerous even in Europe. According to Herodotus, Aristotle, and Pausanias, they were abundant in Macedonia, Thrace, and Thessaly; but for centuries in these countries they have been unknown. Arabia, Syria, and Babylonia used also to contain large numbers. In Arabia and on the confines of Persia and India at the present date they are scarce.

We may form some idea of their number in ancient times by the quantity absorbed annually in the combats which were so much in favor with the Romans. In a very brief interval, Sylla had slaughtered a hundred Lions, Pompey six hundred, and Caesar four hundred.

In this age the Lion is rarely met with except in Africa, where every day its numbers are diminishing, and from whence it will soon completely disappear if the present rate of slaughter is continued. Our grand-children probably will know the Lion only from our descriptions.

Several varieties of the Lion are distinguished. The most ferocious is the Brown Lion of the Cape. In the same neighborhood lives another, much less dangerous, the Yellow Cape Lion. After these we may enumerate the Lion of Senegal, the Barbary Lion, and the Lion of Persia and Arabia.

The Tiger is as high on the limbs as the Lion; but it is more slender, active, and stealthy, closely resembling, in figure and movements, the domestic Cat, which serves as the type of the entire genus. Its coat is very handsome, being of a yellowish fawn color above and a pure white beneath; everywhere irregularly striped by brown transverse bands. Its tail, which is very long, is ringed with black, and contributes not a little to its beauty. It has also white around the eyes, on the jaws, and on the back of each ear.

The Tiger is peculiar to Asia. It inhabits Java, Sumatra, a great part of Hindostan, China, and even Southern Siberia as far north as the banks of the river Obi.

The Tiger makes its lair in jungles or densely wooded districts bordering on water-courses. Like the Lion, it has a den, to which it retires for rest; from whence it steals forth, secretes itself in a wood on the borders of a frequented path, and there, concealed from every eye, awaits its victim. The moment it sees the object of its desire, its eyes flash, and its whole bearing manifests a savage joy; it allows the unsuspecting prey to draw near, and when it is sufficiently close, springs upon it with tremendous velocity. If it scents prey from a distance, it glides through the high grass with the undulating movements of the serpent, almost impossible to be detected by the human eye.

The Tiger has for a long time borne a reputation for cruelty, as little deserved as that for generosity which has been given the Lion. The old Naturalists pretended that the Tiger gloried in shedding blood, and that it never saw a living creature without desiring to destroy it. Nothing can be more untrue. The Tiger does not kill for the pleasure of killing; it kills only to appease its hunger. In doing this, it only conforms to the necessities of its nature; but when it has fed, it does not exhibit any blood-thirsty propensity, butsimply defends itself when threatened or attacked.

Tigers will occasionally take to water. In the Sunderbunds especially they are often seen swimming across the various rivers, which form innumerable islands, inhabited only by wild beasts. Invariably, the fore-paw is the Tiger’s instrument of destruction. Most people imagine that if a Tiger were deprived of his claws and teeth he would be rendered harmless; but this is an error; the weight of the limb is the real cause of the mischief, for the claws are rarely extended. When the Tiger strikes his victim, the operation is similar to that of a hammer, the Tiger raising his paw and bringing it down with such force as not only to stun a common-sized Bullock, but often to crush the bones of the skull!

Williamson gives an amusing account of the mode by which Tigers are captured in Oude: “The track of the Tiger being ascertained, which, though not invariably the same, may yet be sufficiently known for the purpose, the peasants collect a quantity of the leaves of the prouss, which are like those of the sycamore, and are common in most underwoods, as they form the larger portion of most of the jungles of India. These leaves are smeared with a species of bird-lime, made by bruising the berries of an indigenous tree; they are then strewed, with the gluten uppermost, near to that shady spot to which it is understood the Tiger usually resorts during the noontide heats.

“If by chance the animal should tread on one of the smeared leaves, his fate may be considered as decided. He commences by shaking his paw, with the view to removing the adhesive incumbrance, but finding no relief from that expedient, he rubs the nuisance against his face with the same intention, by which means his eyes, ears, &c., become sticky, and cause such uneasiness as occasions him to roll perhaps among many more of the smeared leaves, till at length he becomes completely enveloped, and is deprived of sight. In this situation he may be compared to a man who has been tarred and feathered. The anxiety produced by this strange and novel predicament soon shows itself in dreadful howlings, which serve to call the watchful peasants, who in this state find no difficulty in shooting the mottled object of their detestation.”

The Leopard is smaller and more active than the Tiger and larger than the Panther. It is arboreal in its habits and finds in the spots or rosettes which decorate its tawny skin a provision highly favorable to concealment among the foliage, wherein it lurks, until some passing animal approaches sufficiently near to enable it to spring upon its unsuspecting prey.

The activity of the Leopard is almost beyond belief. Mr. Andersson, speaking of his Dogs, says: “They were, I conjectured, from their steady, unbroken, deep bay, close upon the haunches of their enemy, yet I could not see distinctly either the Dogs or the object of the pursuit, when all at once a magnificent Leopard sprang right before me, from the topmost branches of a tall acacia, clearing with a single bound all his fierce assailants. I was so astounded at the magnitude of the leap—without having witnessed it one can hardly form a notion of the distance oversprung—that, looking first at the tree, and then at the spot on which the beautiful beast had alighted, I could notwithdraw my eyes from the scene of its exploit.”

From the propensity of the Leopard to ascend trees, especially when pursued, it has in India obtained the name of the lackree-bang or Tree-tiger. “Leopards,” says Mr. Williamson, “will not ascend trees which have not some underwood growing near them; their usual haunts are found in those close woods of which the intervals are grown up with thorns, etc., and especially where there are old trees with low boughs, favoring their access to the more shady parts of the foliage.

“The royal Tiger will not touch anything but of its own killing, but Leopards are not quite so fastidious, and may be allured by the scent of meat. I have heard this doubted; but the following fact, which occurred while the corps to which I was then attached was at Hazary-bhang, in the Ram-ghur country, puts the matter out of doubt. The sergeant-major of our battalion had killed an Ox for his winter provision, and had hooked up the joints within his hut, which was on the right flank of the line, close to the grenadier bell of arms. The sentry stationed there gave the alarm that some large animal had entered the hut, in which there were several apartments. A light was brought, and numbers crowded the place, but nothing could be seen for awhile. All were about to retire, when it was discovered that a Leopard was clinging to the thatch with his claws, just above where the meat was hanging. No sooner did the animal perceive that he was discovered than he quitted his hold, springing suddenly down, and dartedthrough the doorway, clawing several as he passed, and giving the poor sentry in particular a scratch in the face which laid him up for several weeks.”

“Nightly,” says Sir W. C. Harris, “may his low half-smothered growl be heard as he prowls round the fold; and in spite of the baying troops of Watch Dogs that are maintained for the protection of the flock, he not unfrequently contrives to purloin mutton. Viewed in his wild state, few animals can surpass the lurking Leopard in point of beauty, his brilliant orange and white skin, which shines like silk, being richly studded with open rosettes, sometimes of the most intense sable, at others disposed as if a Cat had been walking over him with her paws tarred. Nor is he less distinguished for elegance and grace. His every motion easy and flexible in the highest degree, he bounds among the rocks and woods with an agility truly amazing; now stealing along the ground with the silence of a Snake—now crouching with his fore-paws extended, and his spotted head laid between them, while his chequered tail twitches impatiently, and his pale eyes glare mischievously upon his unsuspecting victim.”

Panther Surprised by Tree Snake.

The Panther is a pretty animal, about three feet in length, not including the tail, and is distinguished from the preceding Felidae by its deep yellowish-brown coat, speckled with numerous spots. These spots, quite black on the head, are disposed in a rose-like fashion over the other parts of the body, being formed of five or six little black patches grouped in a circular manner around a piece which is of the same color as the ground of the coat. For a long time, and even sometimes now-a-days, the Panther has been frequentlyconfounded with the Leopard, to which certainly it bears a great resemblance. From this error has arisen grave contradictions as to its history, and much uncertainty with regard to the limits of its natural locality.

It appears to be demonstrated, however, that the veritable Panther is not found in Africa, but only in India, Japan, and the neighboring islands, such as Java, Sumatra, &c. The island of Java possesses a variety which is completely black. This is the famous Black Panther, the terror of Java and Sumatra.

The Panther ascends trees with agility, into which it pursues Monkeys and other climbing animals. It is a ferocious and untamable animal, and inhabits only the wildest forests. No Carnivore, not even the Tiger, is more unconquerable, and its pursuit is proportionably dangerous. It rarely attacks Man without being provoked; but it is irritated at the merest trifle, and its anger is manifested by the lightning rapidity of its onset, which invariably results in the speedy death of the imprudent being who has aroused its fury. Its power, nimbleness, and stealth surpass anything that can be imagined; and it is these qualities which render it so dangerous.

Notwithstanding its ferocity when wild, the Panther is easily tamed when captured young and is then as mild and affectionate as a Dog.

The Panther is especially fond of young Birds, but is frequently disappointed in his search by finding that a Snake has preceded him and secured the prize, as illustrated. During his rovings, the Panther espies a nest and begins at once to climb the bough on which it is built just as the father Bird returns with food for the Birds. At the sight of the fearful enemy near his nest, he utters a series of low pitiful shrieks. The mate answers him from the distance and comes flying swiftly towards him. But the Panther does not allow himself to be turned from his purpose; on the contrary, the parents’ alarm makes him feel assured that the nest contains a prize for him. Meanwhile the Snake’s rest has become disturbed during the clamor and just as the Panther raises his head to peer into the nest, the head of the Snake with wide open jaws shoots hissing upon him. He falls backward startled! He shares the abhorrence of many animals for the Snake, and also fears its sharp bite. One moment he hesitates as to whether to give up the hoped-for prize, then slowly retreats.

The Panther not only climbs the trees to secure the Birds and small climbing animals, but lurking in concealment among the foliage it springs upon the Antelopes or other large game which happens to approach its hiding place.

A tame Panther in the possession of Mrs. Bowdich was left at liberty to go where he pleased, and a boy was appointed to prevent him from intruding into the apartments of the officers. His keeper, however, generally passed his watch in sleeping, and Sai, as the Panther was called, roamed at large. On one occasion Sai found his servant sitting on the step of the door, upright, but fast asleep, when he lifted his paw, gave him a blow on the side of the head, which laid him flat, and then stood wagging his tail as if conscious of the mischief he had committed. He became exceedingly attached to the governor, and followed him everywhere, like a Dog. His favorite station was at a window of the sitting-room, which overlooked the whole town.There, standing on his hind-legs, his fore-paws resting on the ledge of the window, and his chin laid between them, he appeared to amuse himself with what was passing underneath. The children also stood with him at the window, and one day, finding his presence an incumbrance, and that they could not get their chairs close, they united their efforts to pull him down by the tail. He one day missed the governor, who, being in the hall, surrounded by black people, was hidden from view, Sai wandered in search of him, and having at length found him seated writing at a table, the Panther immediately sprang from the door on to his neck, put his head close to the governors, rubbed his head upon his shoulder, and tried to evince his happiness.

When on board a ship at anchor in the river Gaboon, an Orang-Outang was brought for sale, and lived three days on board. “I shall never,” writes Mrs. Bowdich, “forget the uncontrollable rage of the one, or the agony of the other, at this meeting. The Orang was about three feet high, and very powerful in proportion to his size, so that when he fled with extraordinary rapidity from the Panther to the farther end of the deck, neither men nor things remained upright when they opposed his progress; there he took refuge in a sail, and although generally obedient to the voice of his master, force was necessary to make him quit the shelter of its folds. As to the Panther, his back rose in an arch, his tail was elevated and perfectly stiff, his eyes flashed, and as he howled he showed his huge teeth; then, as if forgetting the bars before him, he tried to spring on the Orang, to tear him to atoms.”

JAGUAR.

The Jaguar is the Leopard of the American forests, and nearly approaches to the Tiger of India in strength and daring. The Jaguar may be distinguished from the Leopard by a bold streak or two of black extending across the chest from shoulder to shoulder. The rosettes on the body are very large, open and rather angular, with a central spot or two in each, and a central chain of black dashes extends along the spine. The size of the Jaguar varies, but usually exceeds that of the Leopard. Its form is more robust and less agile and graceful. The limbs are short, but exceedingly thick and muscular, the head square and larger, and the tail comparatively shorter. The Jaguar is the most formidable of all the American members of the Cat family. It prefers the marshy and wooded districts of the warmer latitudes, and haunts the vast forest along the larger rivers. He climbs and swims with equal facility, and preys on the larger domestic quadrupeds, on Peccaries and Monkeys, and also on Tortoises and Fishes. Sonnini saw the scratches left on the smooth bark of a tree without branches forty feet high. Humboldt heard the Jaguar’s yell from the tops of the trees, followed by the sharp, shrill, long whistle of the terrified Monkeys, as they seemed to flee. It takes Birds in their nests and Fish in the shallows and makes havoc in some districts among Horses, Cattle and Sheep.

The Jaguar is also called the American Tiger; it is the largest carnivorous animal of the New World. It almost equals the Tiger in size, as well as in 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 markings are most numerous on the head, thighs, legs and back, but always irregular in shape. The ground color of the coat is of a bright tawny hue above, and white beneath. The Jaguar is spread over nearly the whole of South America and of the warmer parts of North America. It inhabits the great forests traversed by rivers, and actively pursues various aquatic Mammals. Like the Tiger, it swims with ease and passes the day in inaction among the islets of the great lagoons and rivers. In the evening it seeks its food, and levies a heavy tribute on the immense herds of wild Cattle and Horses that graze in the Pampas of the Plata. With a single blow of its paw it breaks the back-bone of its victims.

At the setting and rising of the sun it gives utterance to two cries, which are well known to the natives and to hunters. It is by this means that it announces to living nature the commencement and the termination of its feeding operations, and thus excites terror or joy. In certain parts of South America, Jaguars were so numerous, that, according to Azara, in the seventeenth century, two thousand were killed every year at Paraguay. At the present time many are yet to be found in that region, although their numbers are considerably diminished.

THE PUMA OR COUGAR.

Pumas Fighting over Vultures.

The Puma or Cougar, formerly improperly called the American Lion, is an animal about four and a half feet long, and of an uniform fawn color without any spots. It inhabits Paraguay, Brazil, Guiana, Mexico and the United States. It has the general appearance of a Lioness, without possessing its dimensions.

This animal is alike remarkable for stealth and agility. It makes great ravages among the herds, and differs from the other Cats, in slaying numerous victims before it commences to feed. To carry off the smaller domestic animals, it visits human habitations during the night. It prefers living in the open country, yet it climbs trees; its agility is such, that at one bound it can ascend upwards of twenty feet.

The Puma is easily tamed, when it knows its master, and receives his caresses with pleasure. No inconvenience results from allowing it to run at liberty. The celebrated English actor, Kean, had a Puma which followed him like a Dog, and kept close to him in the most crowded assembly.

The Ocelot, one of the most beautiful of the Cat family, is a little more than three feet in length. The color of its fur is a greyish fawn, marked with large spots of a bright fawn, edged with black. Its habits are entirely nocturnal; it feeds on Monkeys, Rodents and Birds, climbing the trees in their pursuit with great swiftness. It is found in various parts of North and South America.

Like the Puma, it rapidly becomes attached to Man. Azara has seen one which, although it enjoyed the greatest liberty, would never leave its master.

The animals belonging to the Lynx family differ from the other Felidae in their longer coat, their shorter tail, and their ears, which are terminated by a tuft of hair. A great number of varieties of Lynx are known, as well in the Old as in the New World. The principal ones, however, are the European Lynx, the Canada Lynx and the Caracal.

The European Lynx is well known in the great forests of Northern Europe and in Asia; it is also found in some of the Alps and Pyrenees, as well as in the Sierras of Spain. This animal measures from thirty to thirty-six inches, not including the tail, which is four inches long. The upper parts of its body are of a bright red color, with small brown spots, while the under parts are white. On each side of its face it has an addition of white hairs, which resemble whiskers.

The name of “Loup-cervier” sometimes given to it, probably originated from its howling like a Wolf during the night. It nimbly climbs trees in pursuit of prey. Martens, Ermines, Hares and Rabbits are its favorite food. It does not, however, eat the flesh of larger victims, unless its hunger is extreme; but generally is satisfied by sucking out the brain.

Taken young, it becomes accustomed to captivity, and is fond of being caressed, but it will return to its wild life if opportunity offers, so really never becomes attached to its master. It is an extremely cleanly animal, and, like the Cat, passes a large portion of its time in washing and cleansing its fur.

The European Lynx is not much smaller than the Wolf, and is said to berather shy than bold, never attacking Man except in self-defence, and using his claws as his principal weapons. This animal frequents mountainous and thickly-wooded districts, and confines himself to a limited hunting ground, not hunting in a pack, but usually in pairs, the mother being frequently followed by her young ones. The Lynx usually reposes during the day in such a position as to perceive either the approach of danger or of prey, going forth at twilight or early dawn to seek for food. Mr. Lloyd tells us that if the Lynx fails in his spring, he does not pursue his prey to any great distance, but slinks back to his retreat, in proof whereof he relates the following anecdote: “Some years ago, while a peasant was occupied with agricultural labors in the spring, he observed that some Sheep feeding in the distance shied when passing near a boulder on the hill-side. Inclination for the green grass, however, having at length got the better of their fears, they once more approached the spot, when out dashed a large Lynx from his ambush, and made several bounds towards them; but as the poor creatures had the start of him, they were so fortunate as to escape his clutches. Seeing that his efforts were fruitless, the beast now turned about and retreated to his hiding place, which the peasant observing, he hastened home for his gun, and stealthily approaching the spot, shot him while in his lair.”

LYNX ATTACKING FAWN.

The Canada Lynx in size and coloring closely resembles the European species last mentioned. It is about three feet in length, besides the tail, which measures from four to five inches. It is retired in its habits, keeping away even from the dwellings of the first settlers in the forests. Its fine long fur enables it to resist the cold of the high latitudes in which it lives. It is found north of the Great Lakes, as far southward as the Middle States, and occasionally near the sea coast.

When alarmed or pursued, the Canada Lynx leaps or bounds rapidly in a straight direction from danger, and takes to a tree when hard pressed by Dogs. It is very strong, and possessing remarkablylarge and powerful fore-legs and claws, is able to climb trees of any size; and can leap from a considerable height to the ground without seeming to feel the jar, alighting on all four feet at the same instant, ready for flight or for battle.

The food of the Canada Lynx consists principally of Birds and small quadrupeds. Occasionally it may carry off some small live stock of the farmer, but it usually prefers such game as may be met with in the depths of the forest in which it lurks.

Caracal Defending His Booty from Jackals.

The Caracal is about the size of the European Lynx. Its fur is red above, without spots, and its chest is fawn colored, speckled with brown. It is the Lynx of the ancients, and inhabits the north and east of Africa, Arabia and Persia. Its habits differ very little from those of the Lynx. It always retains, when in captivity, its savage disposition and a great desire for liberty.

The Caracal lies in wait for young Antelope and overpowers them without special exertion, tearing with his sharp teeth the artery of the throat. The dexterous hunter seldom enjoys his prey in peace for, as all large animals of prey pursue the small, so the bold, intruding Jackal presses him from all sides, waiting his chance to snatch part whenever possible. Our illustration shows such a scene. The Jackal generally has a bad time in a combat with the Caracal. The Caracal has never yet been tamed in any menagerie. Even the Arabs of the Soudan fear him. In the illustration he has been aggravated to the highest pitch by the attacks of the Jackal. With his long bushy ears lying flat, lips drawn backward and one sharp, pointed claw raised, he stands ready to strike and bite. Several of the Jackals have already felt his weapons. Despite this they howl and press around him until he has had his fill and leaves the rest of his meat for the persistent beggars.

The Caracal is said to occasionally hunt in packs like Wild Dogs. But this is uncommon; they usually hunt singly or in companies of two or three, creeping towards their victim and springing suddenly upon it.

In captivity, Caracals are very irritable, and sometimes display great ferocity. Dr. Charleton saw one kill and destroy a Hound in a moment, although the poor creature defended itself to the uttermost. They retire to a corner of their den, crouching sullenly, and resenting every attempt at familiarity; when irritated, the ears are laid close to the head, the eyes glare with malignant fury, the teeth are displayed, and they utter a hiss not unlike that of a Cat, and quite different from thegrowl of a Lion or Tiger. In their wild state they avoid man, but are dangerous foes when hard pressed or wounded.

These are two members of the Cat family that seem but little known.

In size, the Ounce is between the Panther and Leopard. The color of its coat is not yellow, but grey, and its spots are much more irregular than on these animals. It is a native of Asia.

The Serval is also named the Cat-pard or Tiger Cat. It is only about thirty inches long. It is found in the forests of Southern Africa; also in Abyssinia and Algeria. It lives on small animals, particularly Monkeys and Rodents. Its savage nature cannot be changed by taming.Its fur, which is varied with bars and black spots on a buff ground, is quite valuable.

The Cheetah or Hunting Leopard forms the transition between the Cat and Dog families. By itsphysical organization and its character it belongs, in fact, to both these classes. It has weak, non-retractile claws, which are unfitted for tearing purposes; but in its teeth it unmistakably shows its affinity to the Cat family. Its limbs are also longer, and the body more slender than that of the Cats, from whence results a greater aptitude for hunting. Its tail is curled over on itself at the extremity, a disposition very common in Dogs, but which is not observed in the Cats. Its mildness, obedient temper, and attachment when tame, naturally define its place on the confines of the Feline and the Canine family.

The Hunting Leopard inhabits Southern Asia and various parts of Africa. It is about four feet in length, and twenty-six inches in height. Its fur is very elegant, being a bright fawn color above, perfectly white beneath, and everywhere interspersed with black spots. The tail is barred with twelve alternately white and black rings. A quantity of hair, longer than on other parts of the body, grows on the back of the head and neck, forming a scanty mane.

The Cheetah seizes its prey by a succession of bounds remarkable for their rapidity. In India and Persia has been adopted the habit of training it to hunt certain animals, its natural docility allowing it to be readily trained for this service. The custom of employing the Cheetah for hunting goes back to a very remote period, for the Arab Rhazes speak of it in the tenth century.

In Mongolia the following is the method of conducting this sport. The sportsmen start off on horseback, carrying the Cheetah either on a Horse, or in a carriage specially constructed for the purpose. The animal is chained, and its eyes blindfolded. The places which Gazelles frequent are sought out. As soon as one is perceived, the hunters stop, the Cheetah is unfastened, and its eyes unbandaged and the game is pointed out to it. Immediately, under cover of the high vegetation and brushwood, the beast glides off in pursuit, taking advantage, with unequalled tact, of the slightest breaks in the ground to conceal its movements. When it considers that it is sufficiently near its victim, it suddenly shows itself, dashes on with terrible impetuosity, springs on the prey after a succession of prodigious bounds and immediately pulls it to the ground.

Its master, who has followed the events of the chase, then enters upon the scene. To detach it from its victim, he throws it a piece of flesh, speaks gently to it, and caresses it; after which he again covers its eyes, and replaces it on the saddle or in its conveyance, while the assistants carry off the prey.

This kind of hunting is very popular in Mongolia, and a well-trained Hunting Leopard attains an extraordinary price among the inhabitants.

In captivity, the Cheetah is familiar, gentle and playful, becoming greatly attached to those who are kind to it. When pleased it purs; and mews like a Cat when in distress.

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