HABITS OF THE CHEETAH. 65 



will now pass to the extensive and formidable race 

 of the felidse. Among these beautiful and ferocious 

 beasts, the cheetah, or hunting leopard, though in 

 habits essentially a cat, in certain points bears a 

 strong similarity to the canine group. On a first 

 glance the peculiarities of structure might not be 

 noticed by an inexperienced eye, as the animal in 

 question closely resembles the true leopard in form 

 and general appearance, though the spots, instead 

 of being placed in clusters are scattered singly over 

 the skin. However, when viewed more closely, it 

 will be observed that the head (though dilated at 

 the sides for the attachment of the powerful muscles 

 that lend such force to the jaws of the cats) differs 

 considerably in form from the more typical species, 

 such as the tiger and leopard, the frontal portion 

 being much more elevated, and the nose shorter. 

 In the next place, the eyes, though retaining the 

 circular contractile pupil found in the larger felidse, 

 are soft brown in colour, and have not the peculiarly 

 ferocious expression so noticeable in those of the 

 tiger. Continuing our scrutiny, we see that the 

 limbs are comparatively slender, and though still 

 possessing great springiness and agility are deficient 

 iii muscular power. The chief point of distinction, 

 at the same time, consisting in the formation of the 

 claws, which can be only partially retracted among 

 the ligaments of the foot, and are, therefore, 



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