24 Lloyd's natural history. 



to somewhere about forty. On the other hand, there is a 

 growing tendency among zoologists — especially on the other 

 side of the Atlantic — to regard every well-marked and con- 

 stant local difference in coloration as of specific value ; and if 

 this view were accepted, the result would probably be to split 

 up several of what are here regarded as species (e.g., the 

 Jungle Cat and the Ocelot) into different races. Since, how- 

 ever, a species is absolutely indefinable, as being non-existent, it 

 is merely a matter of individual opinion as to the best manner 

 of using that term ; the writer being very strongly in favour of 

 employing it in as wide a sense as possible. 



This introductory dissertation on Cats in general may be 

 fitly brought to a close by a reference to the important part 

 which the larger members of the Family took in the pageants 

 and shows of the ancients, the account being taken from the 

 admirable resume given by Sir W. Jardine in the original 

 edition of this volume of the " Naturalist's Library." 



In the palmy days of ancient Rome various wild creatures 

 were sometimes sent as presents from conquered nations ; but, 

 in general, animals were collected from the shores of Africa 

 and India in such numbers and variety, that we are at a loss 

 to conceive how they were overcome, or afterwards transported 

 to the utmost limits of the Roman empire. Those belonging 

 to the tribe we are now about to describe were chiefly Lions, 

 and the larger spotted African and Asiatic Cats, which then 

 went under the different appellations of varii, pardi, pantherae, 

 &c. Lynxes were occasionally exhibited, but Tigers only once 

 or twice. At the triumphs they were either led in procession 

 as trophies from the vanquished nation or, in a few instances, 

 having been tamed, they were made to draw the chariot of the 

 conqueror. But the most frequent exhibition of all kinds or 

 animals was in the public amphitheatral shows, an amusement 

 which became a complete passion with the Romans. Immense 



