THE LEOPARD- 55 



him from his prey by placing the blood which he collects 

 in a wooden ladle under the nose of the animal, or by 

 throwing to him pieces of meat, and while he is thus kept 

 quiet, hoods him, leads him back to the car, and there 

 chains him. If the Leopard fails in consequence of the 

 herd having taken timely alarm, he attempts no pursuit, 

 but returns to his car with a dejected and mortified air. 



The Leopards of this class seem to possess a much 

 greater degree of amiability than the others, and to be en- 

 tirely free from that shy and suspicious feeling of mistrust 

 which is so strikingly displayed in the manners and mo- 

 dons of all the cats, and which renders them so little sus- 

 ceptible of real or lasting attachment. They speedily be- 

 come fond of those who are kind to them, and exhibit their 

 fondness in an open, frank, confiding manner. There can 

 in fact, be but little doubt that they might with the greatest 

 facility be reduced to a state of perfect domesticity, and 

 rendered nearly as familiar and faithful as the dog him- 

 self. 



Of the habits of the hunting Leopard in a state of nature, 

 not much is known, but it may be surmised that it captures 

 its prey much in the same way as it does when employed 

 in the chase. A gentleman residing in India, gives the 

 following description of a couple whom he had many op- 

 portunities of observing. " They are truly," says he, " an 

 elegant and graceful pair, having, when led out into the 

 court-yard in their couples, very much of the air and man- 

 ners of a brace of grey hounds." 



" When noticed or fondled they pur like a cat ; and this 

 is their usual mode of expressing pleasure. If, on the 

 other hand, they are uneasy, whether that uneasiness arises 

 from cold, from a craving after food, from a jealous appre- 

 hension of being neglected, or from any other cause, their 

 note consists of a short uniform and repeated mew. They 

 are extremely fond of play, and their manner of playing 

 very much resembles that of a cat ; with this difference, 



