114 



FELID.E. MAMMALIA. FELIDJE. 



able. I will not say how far its disposition might 

 have continued unexceptionable under any other cir- 

 cumstances, but, unhappily, several of the privates of the 

 artillery having access to the place where the leopard 



was kept, and of course now and then imprudently 

 worrying him, the leopard became snappish and petu- 

 lant. One day a soldier provoked him rather too far, 

 when the leopard, now grown to the size of a stout 



Fig. 34. 



The Leopard (Felis Leopardus). 



pointer, suddenly reared, and fixing his claw in the 

 nape of the man's neck, tore his shoulder in such a 

 manner as to occasion the soldier's death in the course 

 of a few hours. The leopard from that time became 

 so ferocious as to render it absolutely necessary to shoot 

 him a measure which gave universal satisfaction." 



THE CHEETAH (Felis jubata). This is a species 

 of very great importance in a zoological point of 

 view, inasmuch as it has been represented as form- 

 ing an aberrant transitional type between the dogs 

 and cats; and but for the marked disparity in 

 size, its general appearance, and the noble lion-like 

 attitude which it assumes, we might perhaps have 

 more reasonably considered it at the beginning of 

 the feline series. Much has been written concerning 

 its true zoological position, especially by Mr. Bennett, 

 who is quite eloquent upon the subject; yet Pro- 

 fessor Owen's detailed researches into the anatomy 

 of this animal, clearly demonstrate that the so-called 

 canine characters are more apparent than real. The 

 body is much elongated, and stands high on the legs, 

 which are correspondingly slim (fig. 35). The fur 

 has a pale fulvous colour generally, being almost white 

 beneath the neck and belly; and except in these 

 situations, the entire surface is marked with numerous 

 uniform and closely-set spots of a deep-black colour. 

 The tail is long, and somewhat bushy at the tip, the 

 central line beneath it, and the extremity, being white ; 

 but at the upper part and sides throughout the remainder 

 of its extent, it is more or less annulated, the spots 

 having a tendency to form incomplete transverse rings, 

 which become more and more conspicuous as they 

 approach the free extremity. The mane is very slightly 



developed ; the ears are short and rounded ; the pupil 

 of the eye is circular; the tip of the nose being black. 

 The feet are provided with retractile claws, as in other 

 Felidae ; but, according to Professor Owen, their action 

 is somewhat restricted on account of the length of the 

 unequal phalanges and their elastic ligaments. Some 

 authors have erroneously stated that the claws are non- 

 retractile. The Cheetah enjoys a wide geographical 

 range over the open grounds of Africa and southern 

 Asia. It is a singularly graceful and elegant species, 

 and is very commonly known by the name of the Hunt- 

 ing leopard. In Persia it is called the Youze, and Mr. 

 Ogilby tells us that " in the East, where these beautiful 

 animals are employed in the chase, they are carried to 

 the field in low cars, whereon they are chained. Each 

 leopard is hooded. When the hunters come within 

 view of a herd of antelopes, the leopard is unchained, 

 his hood is removed, and the game is pointed out to 

 him ; for he is directed in the pursuit by his sight. 

 Then he steals along cautiously and crouchingly, taking 

 advantage of every means of masking his attack, till 

 he has approached the herd unseen within killing dis- 

 tance, when be suddenly launches himself upon his 

 quarry with five or six vigorous and rapid bounds, 

 strangles it instantaneously, and drinks its blood. The 

 huntsman now approaches the leopard, caresses him, 

 wins him from his prey by placing the blood which 

 he collects hi a wooden ladle under the nose of the 

 animal, or by throwing to him pieces of meat; and 

 whilst he is thus kept quiet hoods him, leads him back 

 to his 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 



