44 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Form and appearance Taking the prey. 



general colour is yellow, of a deep tint on the 

 back, but growing paler towards the belly, which, 

 together with the chest, is white: on the back, 

 sides, and flanks, it is elegantly marked with 

 black spots, disposed in circles of four or five 

 each, with a single spot in the centre. The ears 

 of this animal are short and pointed; the eyes 

 fierce and restless ; and the countenance ex- 

 tremely ferocious : it is supposed, indeed, to be 

 absolutely timameable, and in a state of confine- 

 ment, growls almost incessant!}'. It is chiefly 

 found in Africa, where the species extends fiom 

 Barbary to the remotest parts of Guinea. A pan- 

 ther presented to his majesty by the Dey of Al- 

 giers is now exhibited in the Tower. 



The panther happily prefers the flesh of brute 

 animals to that of man ; but when pressed with 

 hunger, it attacks every living creature without 

 distinction. It takes its prey by surprise, either 

 lurking in thickets, or creeping on its belly until 

 it come within its reach : it will even climb trees 

 in pursuit of monkeys, and other small animals, so 

 that nothing is secure from its insidious attacks. 



The ancients seem to have been well acquaint- 

 ed with these animals; and the Romans exhibited 

 great numbers of them in their public shows. 

 Panthers were at that time extremely numerous 

 in the northern parts of Africa, and they still 

 abound in the tropical regions of that continent. 



