28 CAENIVORA. 



animals they secure. Most of the skins, consequently, 

 are sent to this country in a mutilated condition. 



The African Leopard is also found in Algeria, Natal, 

 in the Transvaal (where it is called the Tiger), and in 

 many other parts of Africa. Its numbers have been 

 greatly reduced at the Cape, and the baboons, on which 

 it preyed, have increased considerably, and have 

 acquired a habit of preying on the young of farmers' 

 flocks. 



Where it is still met witli, the Leopard commits 

 ravages on the flocks, and is sometimes killed by strych- 

 nine. 



Leopards are found in East Central Africa up to a 

 height of about 8,000 feet. Mr. Johnston does not, 

 however, give any remarks as to the colour of the 

 animals in that part. We should think they would be 

 lighter in colour and thicker in the fur at that altitude. 

 The East African Leopard from Zanzibar has a pale- 

 yellowish general ground, not a warm brown like the 

 East Indian, but considerably l)rowner than the West 

 African variet}^ ; the spots are also not so dark. 



The African Leopard rarely shows fight, except when 

 brought to bay by its escape being cut off; it usually 

 prefers to seek shelter by flight or by "climbing. 



The Kaffirs prepare the karosses of Leopard-skins 

 with a suppleness and neatness unsurpassed by Euro- 

 peans. 



The spotted and unchangeable coat of this animal is 

 mentioned in Scripture (Jer. xiii. 23). 



Peculiarly spotted skins are occasionally met with. 

 We have met w'ith three, one of which came from the 

 Gold Coast. One which was exhibited at the Zoological 

 Society's meeting gave rise to a good deal of com- 

 ment. These skins are merely an incipient black 



