REVIEWS. 647 



are undoubtedly entitled to recognition, e.g., as "geographical forms " not 

 as distinct species. 



Mr. Hicks, has no doubts on the subject, defining two distinct species as 

 below : — 



(I) The Panther, with the following characteristics : — 

 («) Weight about 150 lbs. 



{b) Length of body alone about 5 feet, length of tail about 2 feet. 



(c) Smooth shining coat with clearly defined rosettes. 



{d) Longer and more pointed skull with strongly developed 



occipital ridge, 

 (e) Having 22 caudal vertebrse in the tail. 



(II) The " Pantheret " :— 

 {a) Weight about 50 lbs. 



{U) Length of body about 3 feet, length of tail 2f to 3 feet and 

 more. 



(c) Shorter and rounder skull with no occipital ridge. 



(d) A dull rough coat and blurred rosettes. 



(e) Having 28 caudal vertebrfe in the tail. 



These dimensions are said to be those of an average animal in its prime, 

 but both " species," especially the first, are admitted to vary considerably. 



Now these differences are in the main those long recognised as existing 

 between the typical "panther" and "leopard," bvit which have been 

 weighed in the balance and found wanting. It is the final difference in 

 the number of the caudal vertebrse that has captured my attention and 

 induced me to write this note. 



I am unaware whether Mr. Hicks is the first to call attention to this 

 character. But if the difference is a constant one and no intermediate 

 variations occur, we have surely here a permanent structural difference 

 which absolutely warrants specific distinction. With the number of shi- 

 karis there are among the members of the Society in different parts of 

 India it should not be difficult to decide the question. 



Apart from this point, the author's differentiation would leave me un- 

 convinced. My own experience in this direction has been mainly confined 

 to North Gujarat ; during 2f years in the Mahi Kantha Agency I measured 

 a sufficient number of panthers to afford a fair idea of the average size ; 

 I find that I have a record of 19 adult specimens shot in that district, 

 of which I give the following particulars for what they may be worth : — 



Length of body (in a straight line) varies in 11 males from 3 feet 7^ 

 inches to 4 feet 6^ inches, in 8 females from 3 feet f inch to 3 feet 7f 

 inches. Length of tail varies from 2 feet 2 inches to 2 feet 9f inches. 

 In colouring and comparative smoothness of coat the larger individuals 

 correspond more or less to Mr. Hicks' " panther," the smaller to his 

 " pantheret," with some intermediate variations. But in view of the great 

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