CHAPTER VIII 



THE LEOPARD (FELIS PARDUS AND LEOPARDUS) 



IT has been generally admitted that the great variety of this species 

 renders a classification almost impossible. Different countries 

 adopt special names for the varieties which inhabit the localities ; 

 the leopard may be termed a panther, or cheetah, or wild cat, or 

 even a jaguar, but it remains a leopard, differing in size, colour, 

 and form of spots, but nevertheless a leopard. I shall therefore 

 accept that name as including every variety. Although the genus 

 Felis embraces in its nomenclature all the various representatives, 

 from the lion (Felis Leo) to the ordinary domestic cat, the two 

 principal examples of the race, the lion and tiger, are totally dis- 

 tinct from all others in their natural characters. The leopard is 

 far more daring ; at the same time it is infinitely more cautious, 

 and difficult to discover. 



No lion or tiger can ascend a tree unless the branches spring 

 from within 4 or 5 feet of the ground ; even then it would be con- 

 trary to the habits of the animal to attempt an ascent, although it 

 might be possible under such favourable circumstances. A leopard 

 will spring up a smooth-barked tree with the agility of a monkey ; 

 and there is a small species which almost lives nmong the branches 

 (F. Macroscelis), from which it leaps upon its prey when passing 

 unconsciously beneath. 



An examination of the skins of leopards from various portions 

 of the globe exhibits a striking difference in colouring and quality 

 of fur. We find the snow leopard, which inhabits the Himalayaha 

 and other lofty mountain ranges, with a fur of great value, deep 

 and exceedingly close, while the spots are not determined as 

 distinct black, but are shaded off by gray. This species is gener- 

 ally found on altitudes of from 8000 to 10,000 feet, or even higher. 

 In Manchuria and the Corea there is a species which is unknown 

 in India ; this is a large animal, with a peculiarly rich and deep 



