THE LEOPARD. 



'241 



be smaller, being seldom more than from three to four feet 

 from the muzzle to the base of the tail, which is somewhat 

 shorter than the body. Individuals from different countries 

 present some slight differences in size, colour, and marking ; 

 but, generally speaking, the beautifully sleek coat of the leopard 

 is of a yellowish fawn colour above, and pale yellow on the 

 sides, which, like the other exterior parts, are adorned with 

 beautiful markings or roses, each consisting of three or four 

 small black spots irregularly surrounding -a central space of a 

 darkish yellow colour, and about an inch and a quarter in 

 breadth. The belly and the under parts of the tail are pure 

 white. 



The male, as is usual with all the cat tribe, is larger than the 

 female, and of a deeper colour, and more richly marked. 



" The extreme pliability of the leopard's spine," it has been 

 well observed, " gives to his motions a degree of velocity, agility, 

 and precision combined, that is altogether unequalled by any 

 other mammal, and to which the greater lateral compression 

 of his body, the increased length and more slender proportions 

 of his limbs, and the suppleness of all his joints must materially 



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