11 4 ANIMALS IN MENAGERIES, 



are unable to agree on their respective distinctions, it 

 cannot be expected that the ordinary visiters of menageries 

 will be rightly informed on the subject by the proprietors 

 of such shows. Hence it follows that the American 

 jaguar is often called by these people a panther or 

 a leopard ; an error which even BufFon has himself com- 

 mitted. This, indeed, has long been rectified ; but until 

 better information comes before us_, we shall adhere to 

 the opinion above expressed on the specific difference 

 of the panther from the leopard. 



The panther, as defined by major Smith, from an 

 inspection of several contained in the Paris menagerie, 

 is much more closely marked with spots than the leopard; 

 and the differences are further pointed out in the fol- 

 lowing specific character, which may be contrasted with 

 that assigned to the leopard. — Pale yellow above, with 

 six or seven lines of rose-formed dots, which form 

 clusters of five or six spots on each flank ; tail longer 

 than that of the jaguar ; with the latter part black 

 above, and white beneath ; having three or four white 

 annuli on the back part. Inhabits Northern Africa. 



We earnestly recommend such of our readers as feel 

 an interest in the subject, and who may have the op- 

 portunity of seeing living or dead specimens, to ascer- 

 tain how far the above distinctions are to be relied upon ; 

 as well as those by which the next animal, supposed by 

 the same authority to constitute a third species, appears 

 separated from the two preceding. 



Panther of the Antients. 



Felis Pardus Antiquorum, Hamilton Smith, in Synopsis of 

 Griff. Ciiv. p. 166. 



This species, if such it really be, is supposed by 

 major Smith to be the animal known to ancient writers 

 by the name of Panthera. It is, however, now so rare, 

 or has been so little distinguished, that major Smith is 

 only acquainted with one example, in the museum of 

 the elector of Hesse Cassel, in whose menagerie it had 



