THE PANTHER. 



Hunting leopard Mode of attack. 



her skin is black, the spots are so much deeper 

 as to be perfectly obvious. 



There is a variety of this species called the 

 hunting leopard, which is about the height of a 

 large greyhound; of a light tawny brown colour, 

 marked like the former with circular black spots. 



This animal, which seems to be chiefly found 

 in India, is frequently tamed, and used in the 

 chase of antelopes. For this purpose it is car- 

 ried in a kind of small waggon, chained and 

 hooded, lest, on approaching the herd, it should 

 be too precipitate, or not select a proper animal. 

 When unchained, it does not immediately spring 

 towards its prey; but winds, in the most cautious 

 manner, along the ground, stopping occasionally, 

 and carefully concealing itself till a favourable 

 opportunity offers : it then darts on the herd with 

 astonishing celerity, and soon overtakes them by 

 the rapidity of its bounds. If, its first attempt, 

 however, which consists of five or six surprising 

 leaps, does not prove successful, it loses its breath ; 

 and, finding itself unequal in speed, stands still 

 for some time to recover; then relinquishing the 

 attempt for that time, quietly returns to its 

 keeper. 





THE PANTHER 



IS larger than the leopard, being frequently 

 from five to six feet long, whereas the latter, as 

 Already observed, seldom exceeds four feet. The 



