JAGUAR', Fells onfa, one of the largest of the cat tribe, and by far the most powerful and dangerous of the American beasts of prey. It is sometimes called the American tiger. It is nearly equal to the tiger in size; the head is large, the body thick, and the limbs robust; the tail is long, and of equal thickness throughout. The color varies considerably, but is usually a rich yellow, with large black spots and rings, small black spots generally appearing within the rings, a mark by which the skin of the jaguar may be readily distinguished from that of the other large spotted or ringed feli&e. A black or very dark-brown variety occurs, but the characteristic markings may be seen in certain lights, deeper in color than the rest of the fur. The jaguar is strong enough to drag away a horse, and swift enough to capture horses on the open pampas. It chiefly, however, an inhabitant of forests. It abounds so much in some
districts, that settlements have been deserted on account of the destruction of domestic animals. It climbs trees, however smooth the stem, and moves about with great agility among the branches, making even monkeys its prey. Instances of its attacking man, although they sometimes occur, are not frequent, but it is bold enough to approach inclosures. and even to enter villages in broad daylight, in quest of prey. The jaguar is often taken in traps; and it is sometimes bunted with dogs, when it generally at last takes refuge in a tree, and is there shot. The skins of jaguars are exported from South America in great numbers. The jaguar is found in almost all parts of South America, but its range does not extend n. of the isthmus of Darien. It is called OUNCE (once) in sonic parts of South America.