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neraly throughout this last-named district, I have had no means of determining. Formerly this animal was
extremely abundant in its native wilds; and Azara bas related that when the Spaniards first settled the country
between Monte Video and Santa Fé, a many ax two thousand were killed annually may b
supposed, soon eaused the species to become comparatively searee a und singly or perhaps in
pairs; and itis only in the love-season, according to Azara, that any number ‘and then sometimes
as cight males are oceasonally seen in company.
‘The Jaguar, itis stated, brings forth at. the close of the year from two to four cubs, the greater number being
females, ‘They resemble their parents; but the fur is somewhat longer and rougher than that of the adults.
as they are able to follow, which period Azara believes to be about fifteen days after birth, the female lead
about with her. ‘Their size is then that of a domestic Cat; and for protection they look to their mother, wh
hesitate to incur any danger in their defence. "This species preys upon most of the quadrupeds that ar
with in the regions to which it resorts. Horses, eatle, dogs, the tapir, and capybara are quickly made to si
Before the enormous strength and fierceness of this beautiful but terrible beast. ‘They do not dread water, and
frequently swim wide and deep rivers. Azara relates that Jaguar having killed a horse, on being disturbed took
up the eareass in his mouth, and, after dragging it for about seventy paces, entered a wide river, through which
he swam, and disappeared with his prey in the woods on the other side. As a rule the Jaguar docs not exhibit any
unnecessary eruclty in destroying animals, only kiling such as are requisite for satisfying his hunger; and should a
bullock be yoked to one he ld just killed, itis said, he will leave it uninjured ater having made his meal off its dead
companion. He does not attempt to conceal any food that he may not be able to consume at once, but leaves it to be
‘eaten by any stray prowler who may discover it, In his movements this beautiful ereture is rapid; and by a sudden
spring he alights on his prey, striking it at the same time to the earth with one blow of his powerful paw. This species
frequently secures and feds upon large turtles, often following them into the water, so eager does it become in their
pursuit. Tlaving gotten bold of a turtle, it turns the reptile over on its back, when it lies helpless. ‘The Jaguar then
inserts @ paw between the shells, and by means of his terrible claws drags out the body of the reptile. So neatly and
completely is this done that Humboldt says a surgical instrament could not be more effectual. In his desire to secure
les, the Jaguar frequently tums over more than he can eat; and this habit is taken advantage of by the Indians,
‘possess themselves of all that may be le It is stated that when this animal has once tasted buman flesh, he
itever afterwards to all others, and then becomes confirmed man-eater. Azara says that if company are
camping together, the Jaguar will take the dog, should there be one—if not, then the Negro, next the Indian, and only
springs upon the Spaniard when there are none of the others present. While he was in Paraguay, six men had been
Killed by this savage creature, two of whom were seized in the midst of their companions, while warming themselves at
the fire
As a general rule the Jaguar is untamable, no matter how young when captured ; and whenever he has been reared
and kept asa pet, be has usually given cause to regret any misplaced confidence by seriously wounding some one who
ventured to play with him.
‘Monkeys have « great dread of this animal, and usually utter loud and angry seoldings whenever they see one, or after
hearing his roar in the forest. It is not improbable that the Jaguar occasionally seizes one as itis unconsciously pas
near his hiding-places; but itis very doubtful if he would have any great success in pursuing such agile ereatures among
the branches,
Ta the fourth volume of his ‘Personal Narrative,” Humboldt gives the folowing account of one of these animals he
met with:—
Near the Joral nature assumes an aviful and savage aspect. We there saw the largest Jaguar we had ever met with
The natives themselves were astonished at its prodigious length, which surpassed that of all the ‘Tigers of India Thad seen
inthe collections of Europe. ‘The animal lay stretched beneath the shade of a large Zamany, a species of Minow. It
had just killed a Chiguie (Capidava, or Waterhog), but had not yet touched its prey, on which it kept one ofits paws
The Zamuroes, a species of vulture, whieh we have compared above to the Perenopteres of Lower Bgypt, were assembled
in flocks to devour the remains of the Jaguars repest. They afforded the most curious spectacle, by a singular mixture of
boldaess and timidity. ‘They advanced within the distance of two feet from the Jaguar; but at the least moyement the
FELIS ONOA.
isighend y along prvton of. "The nes of or ore the inal ose do, an ie ims bi
the Sao bse that badeed the shor. "The lures ted to prt y in abneac to devour he Chigur: but
Reet iretifaaal Sp al ane fn tone Te teed mot fog Uy nigh
others are found entirel i
n diference, therefor, in the eslour of their coat, it may
* ot authors considered
were several species of this animal, particulaely as their knovle mited and their specimens were
few in number. ‘The synonymy is on this aco antty, but at the same time not difinlt to
unravel, a8 no other species of this family ean well be confounded with the Jaguar. ‘The late Dr. J. B. Gray named
coloured specimen from Mazatlan, which was then (1857; the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London,
Leopardus Hernandesi, founding his specie characters upon the form of the head, and the disp f the spots on the
5 butin 1867, on the death ofthe animal, he was obliged, from the examination ofthe skull, to acknowledge that it wns
different fom the usual form, and that the spots only repes of the many varieties met with among this species,
He aso, in the “Proceedings’ of the Zoological Society for 1867, instituted the genus Leopard, placing in it various
species not particularly closely allied, such as the Leopard, the Puma, and the F, moormensis of Hodgson, and with these
Thave not been able to diseover any thing, ether in the ay or outside covering of the present species,
eric rank from the other members of this family, and have therefore not adopted
Individuals of this
his species vary considerably in size. Baird states that the largest he saw was a specimen Killed near
the mouth of the little stream Las Moras above Ka and measured nearly five fect to the insertion of the tail
Azara gives the dimen gth 6 feet 9 inches; tail 2 feet 2 inches, cireumference of ro
tail 8 inches, of neck: g at the middle 1 foot 2 inches, ankle 8} inches, head
ose to the cars
2h inches, chest 3 f
of the body 2 fect 11 inches height at shoulder 2 fect 9 inches ; len
hs high, width 2} inches. Audubon, in his « Quadrupe
2 to root of tal d fect 1 inch; length of tail 2 fect 1 incl; height of ea
eth of largest claw 2 inches, around the wrist 7} inches, around chest 3 fect, a
hhead 1 foot 9 inches; brendth between eyes 3 inches. ‘This last may be taken as about the average size of a fll
resembling the Leopard somewhat in his eolouring, the Jaguar ean always be dist
imal, and, indeed, from all
ted Cats, by having the spots not scattered singly, but arranged in
single spot in the centre of each rin :
The thre figures in the Plate represent the different coloration and marking exhibited by individual exa
L. Hernandesi, Gray 3
and the third shows the black variety
Head, neck, body, outside of legs, and tail near the root rich tan-colour. Upper part of head and sides of face thick!
aswel ask WRG coe fg casero ot area SSS oc Fea pSPSa VON] lgh ak spa, cer
sometimes confluent, and with one or more black spots in the centre, and ranged l ong the body in from five
seven rows, The blac rings are heaviest and thickest slong the back, ke mark at openi
Lips, throat, breast, entire underparts, inside of legs, and lower se of tail pure white, marked yvith
ar spots of black of various sizes, those on the breast being long bars, and on the belly and on the inside of
legs very large blotches. There are no bars across the face, as in most of the spotted Cats. ‘The tail has large black
spots near the root, some with light centres ; but from about midway of its length to the tip it is ringed with black
Bars are black behind, with a large spot of buff near the tip. ‘The black spots extend down the legs and onto the |