Tin: (II I. TAIL 



grip in the throat of tlic tlying nnhiml, the Clictali hips tlie hot blooil, and for 

 tlic time seems forgetful of time or phice. 



Of these curious habits, tlie restless and all-adapting niind of man has taken 

 advantage, and has diverted to his own service the wild destructive properties of 

 the Chetah. The Asiatics have brought this curious chase to great perfection, 

 and are able to train Chetahs for this purpose in a wonderfully perfect manner. 



When a Chetah is taken out for the purpose of hunting game, he is hooded 

 and placed in a light native car, in company with his keepers. AVhen they 

 ])crccivc a herd of 'deer, or other desirable game, the keepers tm-n the Chctah's 

 Iicad in the proper direction, and remove tlie hood from his eyes. The shar])- 

 sighted animal generally ])erceives the prcv vX ouce, but if he fails to do so the 

 keci)ers assist him by (juiet gestures. 



No sooner does the Chetah fairly ])erceive the deer than his bands arc loosened, 

 and he gently slips from the car. J-]uii)l()yiug all his imiate artitices, the quad- 

 rupedal hunter a})i)roaches the game, and with one powerful leap llings himself 

 upon the animal which he has selected. The keepei*s now hurry up, and take 

 his attention from the slaughtered animal by ottering him a ladlcful of its blood, 

 or by placing before him some food of which he is especially fond, such as the 

 head ami neck of a fowl. The hood is then slipped over his head, and the 

 blinded animal is conducted patient ami unresisting to the car, where he is 

 secured until another victim may be discovered. 



It is a very cuiious fact, that although the Chetah is found in Africa as well 

 as in Asia, it has not l)een subjected to the dominion of man by the African 

 races, but is suft'ered to roam at large, unfettered and unblinded. 



Tiie natiu-al disposition of this pretty creature seems to be gentle and placid, 

 and it is peculiarly susceptible of domestication. It has been so completely 

 trained as to be permitted to wander where it chooses like a domestic dog or cat, 

 and is quite as familiar as that animal. Even in a state of semi-domestication it 

 is sutticiently gentle. One sleek and well-conditioned specimen with which I 

 made acquaintance behaved in a very friendly maimer, permitting me to pat its 

 soft sides, or stroke its face, and uttering short self-sufficient sounds, like the 

 magnified piUT of a gratified cat. 



Certainly these caged animals have a wondrous perception of the intentions 

 of those who visit them. I heard one curious instance of forbearance on the 

 ])art of a caged tiger. 



A little girl, about five or si.\ years of age, was taken to sec the lions and tigers in a 

 tiavelling menagerie. They presented to her mind the idea that they were 

 simply very large cats, only ditt'eiing in size from her favourite cat at home. So 

 slie crept close to the cage, and getting on a stone, in order to lift her small 



7;^ 



