Puma.
The puma has been known by a
variety of names, including the American
lion, the panther, the cougar, the
carcajou (which is entirely a different
animal) and the "painter." It
is rather large, but on account of its
small head appears to be less powerful
than it really is. Its total length is
about six and a half feet, of which two
feet is tail. The tip of the tail is
black, but it is destitute of the black
tuft of hair characteristic of the true
lion. Its limbs are extremely thick and
muscular, as need be for an animal whose
life is spent almost entirely in climbing
trees, and whose subsistence is gained
only by the exercise of mingled activity
and force. The puma has been known to
track human beings for long distances,
awaiting its opportunity of springing
unobservedly upon the passer-by; but it
is said not to be able to stand the
steady gaze of the eye, and even when
impelled by hunger to attack mankind, has
thus been discomfited. The experiment,
however, is not one to be coveted. The
puma is a bad neighbor for the farmer,
and has been known to kill fifty sheep in
one night, acting always with such craft
that it can seldom be caught while
engaged in such destruction, or be
prevented from doing it. Much of its food
is small animals. It has a habit of
hiding itself among the branches till
ready to spring. When taken young it can
be domesticated, and will follow its
master like a dog.
Zibeth.
The zibeth, or zibet, is a kind
of civet found in India and some of the
adjacent islands. It is also called the
Asiatic or Indian civet. It secretes an
odoriferous substance like that of other
civets, and when tamed lives in the
countries where it is found, like a
domestic cat. It is usually more than two
feet long, the tail being about ten
inches. It is sometimes reared in large
numbers for its civet, in establishments
conducted for that purpose. The quantity
of civet which a single animal affords
depends generally upon its health and
nourishment. It gives more in proportion
as it is more delicately and abundantly
fed. The zibeth differs from others of
its kind in having a longer and more
slender body, smaller nose, ears longer
and broader, and there is no mane of long
hair running down its back, and the tail
is longer, and better marked with rings
from one end to the other.
Rimau-Dahan.
This is the clouded or
tortoise-shell tiger. The last half of
the native name given it in
Sumatra--dahan--signifies a forked bough,
from its habit of lying in wait stretched
along the branch of a tree with its head
in the fork. It is gentle in disposition,
despite its size and strength, which
equal, or nearly approach, those of the
tiger and the leopard. It generally
restricts its depredations to small deer
and birds, making sad havoc with poultry.
Its head is small in proportion to its
body; its skull being long and low, and
it has a mild and pleasant expression of
countenance. It is not common, and even
in Sumatra is not often found. The tail
of this beautiful animal is peculiarly
capable of that curious expansion
familiar to us in the domestic cat when
she is irritated. Its limbs, although
apparently short in proportion to the
dimensions of the body, are very thick
and powerful, and altogether it presents
the appearance of an animal which, if it
chose to be offensive, might be a truly
fearful antagonist. Its usual length is
three and a half feet; tail thirty-two
inches.
Lynx.
A wild cat, with short tail,
penciled ears, and twenty-eight teeth. It
is considerably larger than any house
cat, and has a short body, large and long
limbs, usually bearded cheeks, and tufted
ears. It is famed for its
far-sightedness, which, however, is
probably no greater than that of any
other cat. In the European lynx the color
varies with the different seasons of the
year. The lynx found in Canada has longer
hair, its limbs are very powerful, and
its feet thick and heavy. It is not
dangerous to man. The American hare is
its favorite food. It is a good swimmer,
and able to cross water two miles wide or
more. It is easily killed by a blow on
the back, with a small stick. Its flesh
is eaten, but although tender, is devoid
of flavor. Its howl has considerable
resemblance to that of a wolf. In
captivity it is ferocious, frequently
expresses its malignity in a kind of
snarling scream, and is seldom, or never
tamed. In the time of the Romans the lynx
appeared to have been common in France,
whence considerable numbers were brought
for the games of the circus at Rome.
Nowadays it is very rare, if not extinct
there. It occurs in Spain, but more
frequently in Germany, and still more so
in the countries of the north, where its
fur forms an article of commerce.
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