16 Quadrupeds. 



THE CHEETAH, OR HUNTING LEOPARD. 



( Felis julata.) 



THE HUNTING LEOPARD seems to form the connecting link 

 between the cat and the dog tribes ; as it has the long 

 tail and flexible body of the cat, with the sharp nose and 

 elongated limbs of the dog. Its claws also are not capa- 

 ble of being so completely drawn back into the toes as 

 they can in other animals of the cat kind. The Cheetah 

 is easily tamed, and Cuvier describes one which was 

 accustomed to go at large in a park, and associated with 

 the children and domestic animals, purring like a cat 

 when pleased, and mewing when he wished to call 

 attention to his wants. In the East the Cheetah is 

 used in hunting, and is carried in a carriage, or 

 chained on a pad behind the saddle of a horseman, with 

 a hood over his eyes : when a herd of antelopes is found, 

 the hood is taken off the Cheetah, who is let loose, and 

 as soon as he sees the antelopes, steals cautiously along, 

 till he comes within reach, when he springs suddenly 

 upon them; making several bounds with the greatest 

 rapidity, till he has killed his victim, when he begins 

 instantly to suck its blood. The keeper then approaches, 

 and throwing the Cheetah some pieces of raw meat, con- 

 trives to hoodwink and chain him again to his pad behind 

 the saddle, on which he crouches like a dog. If the 

 Cheetah is not successful in catching an antelope before 

 the herd takes flight, he never pursues them, but returns 

 to his keeper with a discontented and sullen air. 



