428 ANIMALS OF THE 



and that its flesh is but indifferent eating, being 

 generally lean, and usually having a strong fumet. 



THE PANTHER, AND THE LEOPARD. 



WE have hitherto found no great difficulty in 

 distinguishing one animal from another, each car- 

 rying its own peculiar marks, which in some mea- 

 sure serve to separate it from all the rest. But it 

 is otherwise when we come to those of the cat 

 kind that fill up the chasm between the tiger and 

 the cat. The spots with which their skins are 

 diversified are so various, and their size so equi- 

 vocal, that it is no easy matter to distinguish the 

 species, particularly as we have little else but the 

 spots and the size to guide us in making the dis- 

 tinction. If we regard the figure and diversity of 

 the spots, we shall find many varieties not taken 

 notice of by any naturalist ; if we are led by the 

 size, we shall find an imperceptible gradation from 

 the -cat to the tiger. It would be vain, therefore, 

 to make as many varieties in these animals as we 

 see differences in spots or stature ; it will be suf- 

 ficient to seize the most general distinctions, and 

 leave the rest to such as are fond of more minute 

 disquisitions. 



Of all this tribe, whose skins are so beautifully 

 spotted, and whose natures are so mischievous, the 

 Panther may be considered as the foremost. This 

 animal has been by many naturalists mistaken for 

 the tiger, and in fact it approaches next to it in 



