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Show 298 MR. O. V. APLIN ON T H E [Mar. 20, I may draw attention to the fact that, so far as purely terrestrial animals are concerned, Uruguay is geographically separated from the Argentine States by effective natural boundaries-the Rio de la Plata on the south and the Rio Uruguay on the west. The latter river has apparently proved less passable than the muddy Eio Parana. GEOFFROY'S CAT (Felis geoffroyi). The beautiful spotted " Gato del Monte," or " Monte Cat," is now becoming rare in the part of Soriano where I was living. The skins exhibit a little variety, some having the spots larger and more distinct than others. It is kept down as much as possible on sheep-camps by trapping. PAJA CAT (Felis passerum). The Paja or Grass Cat (" Gato pajero ") is also getting scarce in vthis district owing to the systematic trapping which is carried on. Two kittens which were brought in (dead, alas!) on tbe 29th October were spotted on the legs and lower parts, and it was suggested that they might be the result of a cross with the Monte Cat; but as the skins of two more kittens, brought in with that of the old female a few days before, were just the same, the spotted dress in youth is evidently natural to this species. Exactly the same thing happens in the case of the Puma (vide infra). PUMA (Felis concolor)1. The Puma is now extinct in many parts of the country, but in the monte along the Uruguay river it is still found. An estanciero living at Cordova in Argentina tells m e he has seen both Pumas and Jaguars coming down the big rivers on tree-trunks. In this way stray examples might very wTell turn up in a district long after the native breed was extinct. I heard that it was still found, although very rarely, in the monte of the Rio Negro on that part of the coast of the river which I visited in the Department of that name; but all I could hear of it in South Soriano was a report that one had been seen on the Arroyo de Monzon some years ago. W e had on board the ship I came home in two Puma cubs, the smaller of which was indistinctly spotted. A German friend living in the South of Patagonia tells m e that very young ones are always so. AZARA'S Fox (Canis azarce). Azara's Fox, the common " Zorro," is still numerous despite systematic trapping, and affords moderate sport to some Englishmen ; among others to a neighbour of m y host, whose pack included two imported foxhounds, a rarity indeed, and has achieved sigual success. This fox is quite as bold as the English one in coming about the houses at night. Going out of m y room one moonlight night I saw a fox bolt out of the patio ! One which w-as caught 1 See figures of young Pumas, P. Z. S. 1861, p. 141, pi. sxii. |