A TAMER^S EXPERIENCE. i?3 



people was a clapping tlifdr 'ancls, aud 'ollering * angcore/ It 

 don't do with beasts to let 'em think you're uneasy, so eacli time 

 she tore me with her claws, I justgiv' her the whip, till she saw 

 ■ it wouldn' do." 



Leopards and panthers, although sometimes confounded even 

 by naturalists, are strictly different animals, though so near 

 alike that any statements in regard to the training of one will 

 be equally applicable to the other. They are both quite com- 

 mon in menageries, and are often among the dwellers in the 

 " den of beasts.'' Leopards — and what we say of the leopard's 

 character or training applies equally to the panther — are of a 

 comparatively gentle disposition, and, unless hungry or annoyed, 

 is generally harmless. Even in a wild state a person may come 

 across them without being harmed, though it is said they are 

 more dreaded at the Oape of Good Hope, than the lion, for they 

 steal silently and treacherously upon their prey while he gives 

 warning of his approach by terrific roarings. 



Illustrative of the leopard's peaceful disposition an amusing 

 story is told of a Cape farmer who once surprised a group of 

 seven leopards reposing on a clump of scattered rocks. In the 

 excitement of the moment, with scarcely a thought as to the 

 probable consequences, he fired his single-barreled gun at them. 

 Instead of returning this attack, the leopards seemed more sur- 

 prised than angry at the report of the gun, and instead of turn- 

 ing their attention to the imprudent intruder some of them 

 leaped on their hind legs, and pawed the air as if trying to catch 

 the bullet which had gone whistling by their ears. 



The leopard is tamed easily, and is usually the animal 

 selected to perform the leaping and similar feats which form a 

 prominent portion of the ^' lion king's " exhibition. Care is 

 taken to select an individual who sh^ws an inclination and aptness 

 for these exercises. In this case the training is a mere trifle ; 

 the tamer comers the leopard up in one end of the cage, and 

 liolding his whip in a horizontal position close to the floor, he 

 gently stirs the animal with his foot, giving at the same time 

 the command, " up !" or ^' hi !" To escape the annoyance the 

 leopard will spring over the whip, and the lesson is repeated 

 until lie does so promptly, on its being placed in position and 

 the order given. Then the tamer may raise one of his legs and 

 hold the whip at its side, and the leopard will leap over the leg. 

 The same plan may be adopted with other articles such as poles, 

 banners, etc., or even the trainer's own head. Jumping through 

 a hoop is the next lesson ; the hoop to be held in one hand while 

 the other hand holds the whip, with which the lower part of the 

 hoop is to be tapped when the command " up 1" or " hi !" is 



