396 THE SNOW LEOPARD CHAP. 



pantere like unto the smaragdyne " seems to be an inapt descrip- 

 tion of this Cat, unless indeed the eyes be referred to. The 

 ancients ascribed to it a most fragrant odour. As with the Tiger, 

 a northern variety of this Carnivore has a closer and longer fur. 

 There is a tendency towards melanism in this animal, the black 

 Leopard being comparatively common, particularly, it appears, in 

 high lands. Several other variations in colour are known. These 

 have receiyed different specific names ; but it seems that there is 

 in reality but one species of Leopard. The Leopard can climb 

 with the agility of any Cat. Sir S. Baker reserves the name 

 Panther for large Leopards, which reach a length of 7 feet 

 6 inches. But there is no valid distinction between any two 

 such varieties. The Leopard is as ferocious as the Tiger ; and 

 Sir Samuel Baker advises that the power of the human eye 

 be not experimented with when meeting unarmed one of these 

 brutes. 



The Snow Leopard or Ounce, F. uncia, is a beautiful creature, 



FIG. 195. Snow Leopard. Fells uncia. XTJ^. 



confined to the highlands of Central Asia. The ground-colour is 

 white, and the spots are larger than those of the ordinary Leopard. 

 Two examples of this rather rare Carnivore have been recently 

 on view in the Zoological Society's Gardens, London. The 

 Clouded Leopard, F. nebr-osa, is an animal of considerable size 

 (6 feet total length). 



