502 CARNIVORA. 



or elsewhere. He never hunts in the middle of the day, but his nocturnal 

 depredations make him as destructive as the lion. 



When attacked, the leopard will generally endeavor to slink away, 

 and to escape the observation of its pursuers ; but if it is wounded, and 

 nnds no mode of eluding its foes, it becomes furious and charges at them 

 vith 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, and the fortunate hunter is permitted to decorate his person 

 with the trophies of his skill and courage. 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 pur- 

 pose of being dressed and made into a cloak, or "kaross," as this article 

 of apparel is popularly termed. 



The Panther or Asiatic Leopard, Fdis Icopardus (Plate VIII), has 

 ;qual ferocity, but not the same amount of strength as the African 

 leopard. The spots of the panther differ from those of the leopard by 

 their considerable size, and are formed of five or six black patches 

 grouped around a centre somewhat brighter than the ground color of 

 the coat, and are very appropriately called " rosettes." 



The panther ascends trees with agility ; into which it pursues mon- 

 keys and other climbing animals. It is a ferocious and untamable animal, 

 and inhabits only the wildest forests ; not even the tiger is more uncon- 

 querable, and its pursuit is proportionably dangerous. It rarely attacks 

 man without being provoked ; but it is irritated at the merest trifle, 

 and its anger is manifested by the lightning rapidity of its onset, which 

 invariably results in the speedy death of the imprudent being who has 

 aroused its fury. Its power, nimbleness, and stealth surpass anything 

 that can be imagined. 



The Japanese Panther, Fdis Japonicns (Plate IX), is merely a variety 

 of the common panther ; it differs in having a thicker fur and a bushier 

 tail. 



The Sunda Panther, FcUs variegatus, sometimes called the Asiatic 

 Leopard (Plate VIII), has a small, long head, longish neck, short legs, 

 and a very different coat. The spots are much smaller, darker, and 



