ing intimidated at the sight of men, he often
attacks individuals, and when pressed by hunger is not afraid, even
in broad daylight, to slip into the forest villages in order to carry
off food, and the booty, when once seized, is not easily recovered.

An amusing example of this occurred in the Montana of Vitoc. An Indian
one night heard his only pig squeaking loudly, as if in pain. He
hastened to the door of his hut to see what was the matter, and he
discovered that an ounce had seized the pig by the head, and was
carrying it off. The Cholo, who determined to make an effort to recover
his property, seized the pig by the hind legs, and endeavored to drag it
from the grasp of the robber. This contest was kept up for some time,
the ounce, with his eyes glaring in the darkness, holding fast the head
of the pig, and the Indian pulling it hard by the legs. At length the
Indian's wife came to the door of the hut with a lighted fagot, and the
scared ounce, with terrible howlings, slowly retired to the forest. In
general the Indians have a great dread of these animals, and seldom
venture singly into the parts they frequent. The ounce hunter is the
only one who ventures to approach them. He is armed with a long spear,
with which he gives the ferocious animal a death-blow. He lets the ounce
come within a few paces of him without making the least show either of
flight or attack. If, however, the stroke he aims does not immediately
reach the seat of life, the hunter, in general, becomes the victim of
his bold attempt. Before he can stand on his defence, the wounded ounce
drags him to the ground, and tears the flesh from his bones.

Sometimes the villagers collect their dogs together for a general hunt.
They drive the ounce into a place from whence there is no escape, or
often up a tree, where they shoot him with long arrows sent from their
bows or blow-tubes. In a few places snares are laid, or large holes are
dug, and a sharp-pointed stake is stuck in the middle, covered with
stalks and branches of trees, on which the bait is laid. The ounce is,
however, too cunning to be easily caught in traps, and it is only when
pressed by hunger that he can be tempted by a bait. In some districts
the ounces have increased so greatly, and done so much damage, that the
natives have been compelled to remove and settle in other places. I need
only refer to the Quebrada of Mayunmarca, in the Montana of Huanta,
near the road to Anco. There once stoo