102 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



at taking him from the shore to the vessel, that, 

 in their confusion, they dropped cage and all into 

 the sea. For a few minutes I gave up my poor 

 Panther as lost ; but some sailors jumped into a 

 boat belonging to the vessel, and dragged him out 

 in safety. The beast himself seemed completely 

 subdued by his ducking ; and as no one dared to 

 open his cage to dry it, he rolled himself up in 

 one corner, nor roused himself till after an interval 

 of some days, when he recognized my voice. When 

 I first spoke he raised his head, held it on one side, 

 then on the other, to listen ; and when I came fully 

 into his view, he jumped on his legs, and appeared 

 frantic ; he rolled himself over and over, he howled, 

 he opened his enormous jaws, and cried, and seemed 

 as if he would have torn his cage to pieces. How- 

 ever, as his violence subsided, he contented himself 

 with thrusting his paws and nose through the bars 

 of the cage to receive my caresses. 



" The greatest treat I could bestow upon my 

 favourite was lavender-water. Mr. Hutchison had 

 told me, that on the way from Ashantee he drew a 

 scented handkerchief from his pocket, which was 

 immediately seized on by the Panther, who reduced 

 it to atoms ; nor could he venture to open a bottle 

 of perfume when the animal was near, he was so 

 eager to enjoy it. I indulged him twice a week 

 by making a cup of stiff paper, pouring a little 

 lavender-water into it, and giving it to him through 

 the bars of his cage ; he would drag it to him with 

 great eagerness, roll himself over it, nor rest till 



