76 NATURAL lllSTORV ESSAYS 



A blanket being then thrown over the captive's head 

 it is rendered quite helpless, being taken away 

 ignominiously spread-eagled on a bullock cart. The 

 animal then undergoes a six months' training at the 

 hands of the Vardi women and children, who 

 daily sit by it and keep up a conversation to 

 accustom it to the sound of the human voice. Many 

 of the examples seen in zoological gardens are, 

 however, AJiican specimens, probably brought 

 home by officers who, again ordered abroad, deposit 

 or present their pets to some institution where they 

 will be well taken care of The fine pair of hunting 

 leopards figured at the head of this Essay came 

 from Somaliland, and were presented to the London 

 Zoological Gardens by Col. Mahon. The photo- 

 graph shows them basking in the sun, at peace with 

 themselves and all the world — great, lazy, contented 

 cats. 



