56 THE LEOPARD. 



however, that it never, as in the latter animal, degenerates 

 into malicious cunning or wanton mischief." 



The common Leopard is generally playful, but treach- 

 erous, and therefore difficult to tame. An interesting case, 

 however, is related of a lady, who won the heart of a Leo- 

 pard by kindness ; and, by presenting him with lavendar 

 water in a card-tray, taught, him to keep his claws sheathed. 

 The luxurious animal revelled in the delicious essence al- 

 most to ecstacy ; but he never was suffered to have it if he 

 put forth his claws. 



Among the larger spotted cats of the old world, we must 

 notice the Riman Dahan or Fells nebulosa of Griffith. This 

 species partakes, in some measure, of the markings of both 

 the Tiger and Leopards ; though it seems to be more near- 

 ly allied to the latter than to the former. Its probable 

 size, when full grown, is about four feet from the nose to 

 the root of the tail, which may be recKoned at three feet 

 six inches ; height at shoulder, about one foot ten inches. 

 Color, whitish-gray, with an inclination to ashy or brown- 

 ish-gray, no yellow or red tint. Stripes and spots, dark, 

 oblong, irregular and broad on the shoulders, interrupted 

 and angular on the sides, posterior edges of the broad spots 

 and stripes marked by a line of deep velvet-black ; limbs 

 stout, feet and toes robust, tail very long, large, and canu- 

 ginous. Its locality is Sumatra. M. Temminek, thinks it 

 is also found on the continent of India, having received 

 mantles belonging to the Diakkers, made of the skin of this 

 species. The following account is given of the manners 

 of this species, by Sir Stamford Raffles. " Both speci- 

 mens, while in a state of confinement, were remarkable for 

 good temper and playfulness ; no domestic kitten could be 

 more so ; they were always courting intercourse with per- 

 sons passing by, and, in the expression of their counte- 

 nance, which was always open and smiling, showed the 

 greatest delight when noticed, throwing themselves on 

 their backs, and delighting in being tickled and rubbed. 



