THR LEOPARD. 41 



General description Devastations. 



two feet and a half. Its skin is extremely beau- 

 tiful, being of a fine bright yellow, elegantly 

 marked with annular black spots. It is chiefly 

 found in Senegal, Guinea, and the interior parts 

 of Africa; delighting in the most impervious fo- 

 rests, and frequenting the borders of rivers to 

 wait for such animals as resort thither to allay 

 their thirst. It also resides in some parts of China, 

 and among the mountains of Caucasus, from Per- 

 sia to India. 



The general appearance of these animals is 

 marked with extreme ferocity. The eye is rest- 

 less, the aspect cruel, and all the motions are 

 short and precipitate. They attack and devour 

 indiscriminately every thing they meet, sparing 

 neither man nor beast; and when they cannot 

 obtain a sufficient supply in their native wilds, 

 they descend in great numbers from their lurk- 

 ing-places, and commit dreadful devastations 

 among the numerous herds which are to be found 

 in the plains. 



Kolben relates that in the year 1708, two leo- 

 pards, a male and female, with three young ones, 

 entered a sheep-fold at the Cape of Good Hope. 

 The old ones killed nearly a hundred sheep, and 

 regaled themselves with the blood. When they 

 were satiated, they tore a carcase into three 

 pieces, and divided it between their young ones. 

 They then took each a whole sheep; and thus 

 laden began to move off. Having been observed, 

 however, they were way-laid on their return, and 



NO. I. F 



