188 



MAMMALIA— TIGER...P ANTHER. 



contre, was so much ashamed of acknowledging it, that he suffered a morti- 

 fication sooner than expose the wound, although he was well aware the 

 women possessed a salve that would cure him. 



THE BLACK TIGER. i 



This animal is a native of South America, and is generally considered as 

 a very ferocious and destructive beast. It is about the size of a heifer of a 

 year old, and is entirely of a deep brownish black color on the upper parts, 

 and of a pale gray, or whitish hue underneath ; the upper lip and paws are 

 also whitish, but the tail is of the same dusky appearance as the body. 



THE PANTHERi 



IlESEMBtEs the tiger in its habits, and the leopard in its skin. Like the 

 tiger, it has an insatiable thirst of blood, and an untamable ferocity; 

 like the leopard, its skin is spotted, but is less beautiful than the skin of 

 that animal. It seems, in truth, only a large variety of the leopard. The 

 panther is usually more than six feet long, independent of the tail, which 

 is about three feet in length. In Africa, one was killed by Major Denham, 

 Avhich was more than eight feet in length. His hair is short, sleek, and 

 mossy, and his color is, in general, of a bright tawny yellow, elegantly 

 marked Avith black spots, disposed in circles of four or five each, with a 

 single spot in the centre : his chest and belly are white. He has short and 

 pointed ears, fierce and restless eyes, a strong, harsh cry, and a savage 

 aspect. So rapid are his movements that few animals can escape him, and 

 such is his agility, that he climbs trees in pursuit of his prey, and is sure 

 of seizing his victim. The flesh of animals is said to be his favorite food, 

 but when pressed by hunger he makes his attacks without discrimination. 



In the time of the Romans, panthers appear to have been very numerous, 

 and at present the species is said to extend from Barbary to the remotest 

 j)arts of Guinea. 



* Felis nigra, a variety jpf the preceding 



* Felis pardus, Lin. 



