mo stn! 
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wl, Pate va 
LEOPARD,—Leopardus Vurius. 
away in this novel receptacle, and hidden from sight by a mass of leaves piled upon 
them. 
When attacked, it will generally endeavour to shnk away, and to escape the observa- 
tion of its pursuers ; but, if it is wounded, and finds no mode of eluding its foes, it beeomes 
furious, and charges at them with such determinate rage, that, unless it falls a victim to a 
well-aimed shot, it may do fearful damage before it yields up its life. In consequence of 
the ferocity and courage of the Leopard, the native African races make much of those 
warriors who have been fortunate enough to kill one of these beasts. 
The fortunate hunter is permitted to decorate his person with trophies of his skill and 
courage, and is looked on with envy by those who have not been able to earn such hon- 
ourable distinctions. The teeth of the Leopard are curiously strung, with beads and wire, 
into a necklace, and hung about the throat of the warrior, where they contrast finely with 
their polished whiteness against the dusky hue of the native’s brawny chest. The claws are 
put to similar uses, and the skin is reserved for the purpose of being dressed and made into 
a cloak, or “kaross,” as this article of apparel is popularly termed. The tail is cut off, and, 
being hung to a string that passes round the waist, dangles therefrom in a most elegant 
and fashionable manner. If a Kaftiris able to procure some eight or ten tails, which he 
can thus suspend around his person, he is at the very summit of the aristocratic world, and 
necds no more attractions in the eyes of his comrades. Generally, these “tails” are formed 
from the skin of the monkey, which is cut into strips, and twisted so as to keep the hairy 
side of the fur outwards. But these are only sham tails, and are as nothing in comparison 
to the real tail which is taken from a veritable Leopard. 
The natives seem in some way to connect the Leopard’s skin with the idea of royalty, 
and to look upon it as part of the insignia of majesty, even when it is spread on the kingly 
throne, instead of hanging gracefully from the kingly shoulders. And, though the throne 
be lut a mound of earth, and the shoulders be redolent with rancid grease, yet the native 
African monarch exercises a sway not less despotic than that of the former Turkish 
Sultans. 
The Leopard, like most of the feline tribe, is very easily startled, and, if suddenly 
alarmed, will in most cases make off with the best speed possible. As the creature is so 
lof 
