24 ILOYD’S NAT@RAL 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 veswmé 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, panthers, 
&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 
