42 NATURALISTS CABINET. 



A tame leopard Leopards in the Tower. 



the female and three young ones were killed ; but 

 the male effected his escape. The same writer 

 also informs us, that their flesh is white, nourish- 

 ing, and delicious; much better than the finest 

 veal. 



The negroes frequently take these animals in 

 pitfalls, slightly covered with hurdles; and regale 

 on their flesh. The negresses make collars of 

 their teeth, which they suppose to possess some 

 particular virtues; and the skins are sent to Eu- 

 rope, where they are held in such estimation, 

 that some of the most beautiful sell for upwards 

 of ten pounds each. 



The late Sir Ashton Lever kept a leopard in a 

 cage at Leicester-house, where it became so 

 tame, as always to seem highly gratified by ca- 

 resses and attention, purring and rubbing its 

 sides against the cage like a cat. It was after- 

 wards presented to the royal menagerie in the 

 Tower ; where a person, before acquainted with 

 it, saw it after an interval of more than twelve 

 months, notwithstanding which, it appeared in- 

 stantly to recognize him, and began to renew its 

 caresses. 



There are at present (1806) a beautiful leopard 

 and leopardess in the Tower of London, the for- 

 mer presented to his majesty by Mr. Devaynes, 

 banker; the latter by Sir Charles Mallet. Here 

 also is a beautiful black leopardess, from the 

 coa>t of Malabar, given by J. Hutchinson, csq. 

 This animal is a great curiosity ; for although 

 I 



