466 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



of the Panther of the Ancients, may deserve particular 

 attention, in ascertaining the diversity of species of its con- 

 similars, especially as it seems to possess traits of a real 

 specific character. 



Major Hamilton Smith met with this species, stuffed, at 

 Hesse Cassel. The animal measured five feet three inches 

 from the nose to the insertion of the tail, and stood about 

 two feet nine inches high at the shoulder. 



The first and great difference which distinguishes this from 

 all the large-spotted Cats, hitherto described, whose speci- 

 fic characters have been before stated from our author, is 

 that the entire colour of the whole animal is a buff-yellow 

 which assumes a darker tint, approaching to red, on the 

 nose, and more ochery on the back and sides. The belly 

 and insides of the limbs partake of this genera] colour, 

 but paler, there being no white part about the animal. 



There may be said to be seven vertical rows of interrupted 

 or imperfect annuli on the sides of the animal. These, as 

 as well as the like open spots which mark all the Panthers, 

 have, as Major Smith observes, the inner surface of the 

 annuli more fulvous than the general colour of the sides. 

 In the Leopards no such distinction appears, nor is there 

 raom, as the small congregated dots are too close to admit 

 it. The dorsal line is marked in the same manner, not with 

 close, but open spots. These annuli differ from those of the 

 Jaguar, to which they bear a considerable general similitude, 

 in being all nearly circular, whereas those of the American 

 animal become oblong as they approach the dorsal line ; 

 they are also smaller when compared with the size of the 

 animal, and much more numerous, covering not only the 

 back, ribs, and haunches of the animal, but descending on 

 the outside the legs, at least, to the knees. 



They differ again from the open annuli of the Jaguar, in 

 being altogether without the spot in the centre, which ren- 

 ders that species so obvious ; and the tail is spotted from 



