66 HABITS OF THE CHEETAH. 



constantly liable to become broken or blunted by 

 contact with the ground ; and in consequence of 

 this, they are comparatively useless as weapons. 

 In spite of this fact, the cheetah strikes with the 

 paw when attacking its prey, in the same manner 

 as the rest of the family, natural instinct in this 

 case appearing to prompt the animal to an act that 

 its physical formation prevents its performing with 

 due effect. 



The cheetah is by many supposed to be unable 

 to climb trees, an utterly erroneous impression, 

 arrived at I should imagine without any actual 

 observation of its habits, as the two fine speci- 

 mens now in the Zoological Gardens are con- 

 stantly in the habit of ascending trees placed in 

 their den, leaping and climbing with the greatest 

 ease and grace, and sometimes sleeping in a fork of 

 the branches. The natural disposition of the hunt- 

 ing leopard appears to be especially mild and gentle, 

 the above-mentioned pair, in the society's possession, 

 showing great tameness, coming readily to the front 

 of the cage when called by their names (Charley 

 and Bessy), uttering short, self-satisfied sounds, like 

 the purr of a magnified cat, and appearing to take 

 great delight in being stroked and caressed by any 

 one to whom they are accustomed. This docility 

 of temper has been taken advantage of by the 

 natives of India, who train the cheetah to hunt 



