164 



THE LEOPARD. 



meat were stowed away in this novel receptacle, and hidden from sight by a mass of 

 leaves piled upon them. 



When attacked, it will generally endeavor to slink away, and to escape the observa- 

 tion of its pursuers ; but, if it is wounded, and finds no mode of eluding its foes, it 

 becomes furious, and charges at them with such determinate rage, that, unless it falls 

 a victim to a well-aimed shot, it may do vfearful damage before it yields up its life. In 

 consequence of the ferocity and courage of the Leopard, the native African races make 

 much of those warriors who have been fortunate enough to kill one of these beasts. 



The fortunate hunter is permitted to decorate his person with trophies of his skill 

 and courage, and is looked on with envy by those who have not been able to earn 

 such honorable distinctions. The teeth of the Leopard are curiously strung, with 

 beads and wire, into a necklace, and hung about the throat of the warrior, where they 

 contrast finely with their polished whiteness against the dusky hue of the native's 

 brawny chest. The claws are put to similar uses, and the skin is reserved for the 

 purpose of being dressed and made into a cloak, or " kaross," as this article of apparel 



LEOPARD. Leopardus Varius. 



is popularly termed. The tail is cut off, and, being hung to a string that passes round 

 the waist, dangles therefrom in a most elegant and fashionable manner. If a Kaffir is 

 able to procure some eight or ten tails, which he can thus suspend around his person, 

 he is at the very summit of the aristocratic world, and needs no more attractions in 

 the eyes of his comrades. Generally, these " tails " are formed from the skin of the 

 monkey, which is cut into strips, and twisted so as to keep the hairy side of the fur 

 outwards. But these are only sham tails, and are as nothing in comparison to the 

 real tail which is taken from a veritable Leopard. 



The natives seem in some way to connect the Leopard's skin with the idea of 

 royalty, and to look upon it as part of the insignia of majesty, even when it is spread 

 on the kingly throne, instead of hanging gracefully from the kingly shoulders. And, 

 though the throne be but a mound of earth, and the shoulders be redolent with rancid 

 grease, yet the native African monarch exercises a sway not less despotic than that of 

 the former Turkish Sultans. 



The Leopard, like most of the feline tribe, is very easily startled, and, if suddenly 

 alarmed, will in most cases make off with the best speed possible. As the creature i 



