396 THE SNOW LEOPARD CHAP. 
pantere like unto the smaragdyne ” seems to be an inapt deserip- 
tion of this Cat, unless indeed the eyes be referred to. The 
ancients ascribed to if a most fragrant odour. As with the Tiger, 
a northern variety of this Carnivore has a closer and longer fur. 
There is a tendency towards melanism in this animal, the black 
Leopard being comparatively common, particularly, it appears, in 
high lands. Several other variations in colour are known. ‘These 
have received different specific names; but it seems that there is 
in reality but one species of Leopard. The Leopard can climb 
with the agility of any Cat. Sir 8. Baker reserves the name 
Panther for large Leopards, which reach a length of 7 feet 
6 inches. But there is no valid distinction between any two 
such varieties. The Leopard is as ferocious as the Tiger; and 
Sir Samuel Baker advises that the power of the human eye 
be not experimented with when meeting unarmed one of these 
brutes. 
The Snow Leopard or Ounce, #) wacia, is a beautiful creature, 
Fic. 195.—Snow Leopard. Felis uncia. x35. 
confined to the highlands of Central Asia. The ground-colour is 
white, and the spots are larger than those of the ordinary Leopard. 
Two examples of this rather rare Carnivore have been recently 
on view in the Zoological Society's Gardens, London. The 
Clouded Leopard, F. nebi usa, is an animal of considerable size 
(6 feet total length). 
