30 THE PANTHER. 



even when evidently adult, to measure not more than five feet six inches, or six feet, in length ; 

 and their skins are usually of a much darker hue than those of the largest variety, with the 

 spots much smaller, more irregular, and closely clustered together. These Panthers, for the 

 most part, confine their attention to goats, sheep, dogs, and the smaller deer. 



From the above descriptions, it might be inferred that the two species differ so widely, 

 that they might be separated with more propriety than in the case of many acknowledged 

 species of other genera. But if a large number of skins were collected from different dis- 

 tricts, the most strongly marked types of each variety placed at the extremities of a long 

 line, and the remainder carefully arranged between them, in the order of their resemblance to 

 the selected specimens, it would be found that there was a regularly graduated scale between 

 the two, a clearly established chain, without a missing or a faulty link. In fact, it would be 

 impossible for any unprejudiced observer to say where the Panthers ended and the Leopards 

 began. I believe that, if the same test were applied to the skulls, the same result would be 

 obtained. 



The Panther is widely distributed throughout India, from the snow line of the Himalayas 

 to Ceylon, and from Kashmir to Bhutan ; it is found wherever there are hills, or jungles of 

 any extent. Its habits vary to a certain extent in different localities ; and I believe that 

 climate and other causes, influencing its choice of prey and general mode of life, are the 

 origin of the wide variations in size and color. Wherever it may be found, the Panther is a 

 fierce and destructive brute ; and although shy and cunning to the last degree, it is bold and 

 determined in its attack, when pressed by hunger, or roused to anger by interference. It will 

 occasionally enter villages and houses, in broad daylight, and carry off its prey in spite of 

 man and dog ; and it will even attack human beings, who have never molested it : but, as a 

 rule, it is an animal rarely seen unless sought for. Instances have been known of Panthers 

 becoming man-eaters, in which cases they are perhaps more to be dreaded than Tigers ; but 

 such instances are very few and far between. 



In the Himalayas, Panthers always haunt the neighbourhood of sheep-folds, moving up 

 with the shepherds to the summer pasture grounds, and levying toll on the flocks and herds, 

 whenever they have an opportunity. Dogs are also a very favorite prey of the Panther, and 

 the shepherds' dogs are all furnished with heavy spiked iron collars. These dogs are some- 

 times splendid beasts and one has been known to kill a Panther single-handed in a fair fight. 

 The way in which these dogs frequently come to an untimely end is from the Panther sud- 

 denly springing on them from behind and taking them at a disadvantage. 



In the less elevated parts of India Panthers delight in low rocky hills and ravines, and 

 regularly take up their abode in deep caves, where they spend the hottest hours. They 

 appear to be more patient of thirst than Tigers, and are not so frequently found in close 

 proximity to water. Although not possessed of the crushing power of the Tiger, the smallest 

 Panther is a formidable antagonist, and the wounds which it inflicts, though not fatal at the 

 time, often prove mortal owing to their poisonous nature. 



Common as Panthers are, they are comparatively seldom shot by English sportsmen 

 except in certain favorable localities. In large jungles, or where huge collections of rocks 



