' : Panthers. 



^ BY 



Brigadier-General R. G. Burton. 

 I. Species and Varieties. 



It is carious that the idea that there is in India more than one species 

 of panther is still prevalent, even in quarters where more enlightenment 

 might be expected. An experienced sportsman only a few years ago pro- 

 d\iced an interesting book of reminiscences in which he maintained that 

 there were not merely two but three species of panther, and these 

 inhabiting the same districts. He even went so far as to give the name of 

 "pantheret" to the smallest of these supposed species. Certainly the 

 value of his opinions was discounted when it was found that the reasons he 

 gave for these distinctions had been mainly taken from an obsolete work on 

 natural history, but the fact is of importance as showing how even experi- 

 enced observers may be led astray. These animals range the length and 

 breadth of Africa and Asia, from the Atlantic to the China Seas. 1 

 have seen at Nijni Novgorod skins from the Caucasus and from the 

 farthest confines of Siberia. It is only to be expected that with such a vast 

 variety of climate and general environment there ehould be a considerable 

 variation in minor characteristics. Perhaps the tendency to sej;)arate the 

 panther into two species has been accentuated by confusion of BOmenclature, 

 Felis pardus being called panther in some parts of the country and leopard in 

 Others. The latter name is more properly applied to the hunting leopard. 



The older naturalists founded their reasons for a separation of species on 

 differences in size, in texture of fur, and in the shape of the skull. They 

 were even supposed to differ in character, the smaller animal being considered 

 the fiercer. There was said to be a large species characterised by an 

 elongated skull, having a pronounced occipital ridge and a smooth coat. 

 The smaller so-called species was supposed to have a round skull, no 

 occipital ridge, and a rough and less brightly-coloured coat. To these 

 alleged differences Sterndale added that Temminck had noted a variation 

 in the number of caudal vertebrae, and the author above referred to adopt- 

 ed this as a "fact" the larger so-called species being said to have 2.2 

 vertebrae and the smaller 28. I have found a mature and medium-sized 

 panther to have 24 vertebrse in the tail, and other sportsmen have noted 

 a similar number, whilst I counted 26 in another. One with 2.S caudal 

 vertebra) is recorded from Canara. This difference is, therefore, appa- 

 rently non-existent, and was probably based on the examination of a very 

 limited number of specimens. Naturalists are prone to separate species on 

 insufficient evidence. Thus the late Dr. Lydekker gave sub-specific status to 

 the Baluchistan gazelle on the evidence of a female head having annulated 

 horns, and the dark portions of the face being dark brown instead of 

 rufous ; the male was said to differ from the ordinary Indian chikara in 

 having the horns more curved backwards and slightly more lyrate when 

 viewed from the front. Now it is quite possible that the Baluchistan 

 gazelle may be a local race, but the alleged differences are of no value in 

 determining this. The female chikara in the Deccan has frequently dis- 

 tinctly annulated horns, and the dark portions of the face vary in colour 

 with age. As for the form of the horns, these will be found to vary even in 

 specimens in a single herd in any part of India, some being more lyrate 

 and some more curved back than others. 



To return to the panther. Size is no criterion. We might separate the 

 tiger into different species for the same reasons. The distinctions adduced 

 as regards form of skull and texture of fur are merely indications of age 



