FELIDAE 515 
synonymous with Leopard, or is used vaguely for any similar large _ 
feline animal, even the Puma of America. 
Owing to their extensive geographical range, and the great 
variations, both in size, form, and coloration to which Leopards are 
subject, zoologists have scarcely decided whether all the forms 
popularly referred to this animal should be regarded as specifically 
alike, or whether they should constitute several distinct species, 
but the prevailing opinion is in favour of the former view. The 
Fic. 226.—The Levpard (Felis pardus). 
attempts to separate a larger and more robust variety, under the 
name of Panther, from a smaller and more graceful form, to which 
the term Leopard might properly be restricted, have failed, owing 
to the existence of intermediate conditions which cannot he assigned 
definitely to either one or the other form.’ The most marked 
anatomical difference yet noted in different varieties of leopard is 
in the length of the tail as compared with that of the body, even 
the number of the caudal vertebre showing variation, though within 
what limits, and whether correlated with other characters, has not 
yet been clearly ascertained. The fur of those specimens which 
inhabit the most northern confines of its range of distribution, as 
1 See W. T. Blanford, Fauna of British India, ‘‘Mammalia,” p. 69 (1888). 
