[Illustration:  In A storm on the sea.]

THE JAGUAR.

The jaguar, or American tiger, as he is sometimes called, is a native of South America.  He is beautifully spotted with rings containing smaller spots on a deeper ground tint.  He is a ferocious and destructive beast, inhabits the forests, and seeks his prey by watching, or by openly seizing cattle or horses in the enclosures.  His depredations among the herds of horses which graze on the prairies of Paraguay are vast and terrible.  Swift as lightning he darts upon his prey, overthrows it by weight, or breaks its neck by a blow of his paw.  His strength is so great, he can easily drag off a full-sized horse.  He is an expert climber, and the prints of his claws have been seen on the bark at the top of trees fifty feet in height and without branches.  He sometimes feeds on monkeys, but they are generally too active for him; having the power to swing themselves from branch to branch with wonderful swiftness, they are soon beyond his reach.  After horses, oxen and sheep are his favorite prey, and his devastations among them are often very extensive.  On account of this, efforts are constantly made to destroy him.  He is hunted with dogs, which run him to bay, or force him to seek safety in a tree, where he is kept till the approach of the hunters, who shoot him, or disable him with their long spears.

[Illustration:  The jaguar waiting for his prey.]

MILITARY DOGS.

Big dogs, little dogs; black dogs, white dogs—­all sizes and sorts of dogs are now carefully trained for use in the military service of France and Germany as messengers, scouts, and sentinels.

These “dog-children of the regiment” are not chosen from any special breed of dogs, because that would at once cause then to be recognized, and so become a target for the foe whenever seen.

These military dogs are chosen on account of the promise they give of “individual merit,” and their education is begun as early as possible.  All are trained to silence—­a most difficult lesson, and only learnt by long and patient teaching.  In fact, it is at all times difficult to insure obedience when music strickes up, for the training poodles, fox-terriers, and collies are sorely tempted to give vocal accompaniment.  Dogs selected for this service are thoroughly children of the regiment.  They are never allowed to associate with civilians, or to let any man wearing an unknown uniform approach them.  They must not attack strangers, but are to keep at a respectful distance from all such.  Thus their fidelity as letter-carriers is secured.

When on sentry duty they are taught to warn their human companions of the approach of any strangers within three hundred yards.  Each dog has his regimental number on his collar.