S)tctt0mm) of gCmmatrtr gtatttr*. 373 



been long familiar in common language, and 

 have conveyed the idea of two distinct spe- 

 cies, yet it is perfectly clear that no scientific 

 writer of the last generation either described, 

 or indeed appeared to know, in what respects 

 the animals differed. It seems that numerous 

 specimens of what are called the Leopard 

 are in the Zoological Gardens, and one has 

 been figured in the book so entitled ; but 

 Mr. Bennett has not made the slightest at- 

 tempt to investigate the subject, or to throw 

 any light upon this difficult question. In 

 this dilemma we shall therefore repose on 

 the opinions of Major Hamilton Smith, whose 

 long experience and accuracy of observation 

 are well known, and whose authority in 

 this department of nature deservedly ranks 

 above that of any other naturalist of this 

 country. The Leopard, as denned by Major 

 Smith, when compared with the Jaguar and 

 Panther of naturalists, is uniformly of a paler 

 yellowish colour, rather smaller, and the 

 dots rose formed, or consisting of several dots 

 partially united into a circular figure in 

 some instances, and into a quadrangular, 

 triangular, or other less determinate forms : 

 there are also several single isolated black 

 spots, which more especially occur on the 

 outside of the limbs." Mr. Swainson then 

 proceeds to say, " Our own opinion of the 

 specific dissimilarity between the Leopard 

 and the Panther, judging from what has 

 been written on the subject, is in perfect 

 unison with that of Major Smith ; while the 

 following remark of that observing natu- 

 ralist, incidentally inserted in his account of 

 the Panther of antiquity, seems to us almost 

 conclusive : ' The open spots which mark 

 all the Panthers have the inner surface of 

 the annuli or rings more fulvous (in other 

 words darker) than the general colour of the 

 sides ; but in the Leopard no such dis- 

 tinction appears, nor is there room, as the 

 small and more congregated dots are too 

 small to admit it.' In truth, if there is any 

 reliance to be placed in the most accurate 

 figures hitherto published, the small spots 

 of the Leopard and the large ones of the 

 Panther must strike even a casual observer, 

 and lead him to believe that the two animals 

 were called by different names." Like most 

 feline animals, Leopards are fierce and ra- 

 pacious ; and, it is remarked, that though 

 they are ever devouring, they always appear 

 lean and emaciated. They are taken in 

 pitfalls, covered over with slight hurdles, on 

 which a bait of flesh is placed. Their skins 

 are very valuable. 



The HUNTING LEOPARD, or CHEETAH. 

 (Guepardajubata.~) This species exhibits in its 

 form and habits a mixture of the feline and 

 canine tribes ; so much so, indeed, as to have 

 induced some naturalists to designate it as a 

 distinct genus under the name of Cynaihirus, 

 or Gticparda. " Intermediate in size and 

 shape between the Leopard and the hound, 

 i observes Mr. Bennett, in the Toiver Menage- 

 rie) he is slenderer in his body, more elevated 

 on his legs, and less flattened on the fore 

 part of his head than the former, while he 

 is deficient in the peculiarly graceful form, 

 both of head and body, which characterizes 



the latter. His tail is entirely that of a cat : 

 and his limbs, although more elongated I 

 than in any other species of that group, seem 



to be better fitted for strong muscular ex- 

 ertion than for active and long-continued 

 speed." Though the Hunting Leopard pos- 

 sesses much of the sagacity and fidelity of 

 the dog, its anatomical structure and general 

 habits are undoubtedly feline. The general 

 ground-colour is a bright yellowish brown 

 above, lighter on the sides, and nearly white 

 beneath ; marked with numerous small black 

 spots on the back, sides, and limbs ; and 

 which are continued along the tail, so closely 

 set as to appear like rings; the tip of the tail 

 is white, as is also the whole of its under 

 surface, with the exception of the rings just 

 mentioned. The ears are short and rounded, 

 marked with a broad black spot at the base, 

 the tip and inside being whitish. The upper 

 part of the head is of a deeper tinge than 

 the rest ; from each eye is a blackish line 

 running down to the corners of the mouth, 

 and the extremity of the nose, like that of a j 

 4og, is black. The fur does not possess that ( 

 sleekness which distinguishes the feline race 

 in general, but has a peculiar kind of crisp- 

 ness ; and there is very little appearance of | 

 a mane, except that the hair is somewhat 1 

 longer and more crisp along the back of the j 



This useful and docile species, which it is : 

 believed might be reduced to a state of per- j 

 feet domestication, inhabits the greater part ! 

 both of Asia and Africa. In India and ; 

 Persia, where they are employed in the : 

 chase, they are carried, chained and hood- j 

 winked, to the field in low cars. When the \ 

 hunters come within view of a herd of ante- j 

 lopes, the Leopard is liberated, and the 

 game is pointed out to him : he does not, i 

 however, immediately dash forward in pur- ' 

 suit, but steals along cautiously till he has 

 nearly approached the herd unseen, when | 

 with a few rapid and vigorous bounds he 

 darts on the timid game, and strangles it 

 almost instantaneously. Should he, how- j 

 ever, fail in his first efforts and miss his 

 prey, he attempts no pursuit, but returns to : 

 the call of his master, evidently disappointed, | 

 and generally almost breathless. 



LEPADOGASTER. A genus of small | 

 Malacopterygious fishes, which have the 

 power of attaching themselves to rocks and ; 

 other hard substances, by means of the disc, ! 

 whereby they are enabled to remain and j 

 find their food in situations where every j 



