FELID^E 515 



synonymous with Leopard, or is used vaguely for any similar large 

 feline animal, even the Puma of America. 



Owing to their extensive geographical range, and the great 

 variations, both in size, form, and coloration to which Leopards are 

 subject, zoologists have scarcely decided whether all the forms 

 popularly referred to this animal should be regarded as specifically 

 alike, or whether they should constitute several distinct species, 

 but the prevailing opinion is in favour of the former view. The 



FIG. 226. The Leopard (Fells pardus). 



attempts to separate a larger and more robust variety, under the 

 name of Panther, from a smaller and more graceful form, to which 

 the term Leopard might properly be restricted, have failed, owing 

 to the existence of intermediate conditions which cannot be assigned 

 definitely to either one or the other form. 1 The most marked 

 anatomical difference yet noted in different varieties of leopard is 

 in the length of the tail as compared with that of the body, even 

 the number of the caudal vertebrae showing variation, though within 

 what limits, and whether correlated with other characters, has not 

 yet been clearly ascertained. The fur of those specimens which 

 inhabit the most northern confines of its range of distribution, as 

 1 See W. T. Blanford, Fauna of British India, "Mammalia," p. 69 (1888). 



