26 CAENIVORA. 



numerous and black, with lighter coloured centres. On 

 the face, neck, legs, and middle of the back the spots 

 are solid ; occasionally the. rings or spots are marked, in 

 the centre like those of the Jaguar : the belly is whitej 

 but still spotted, as likewise the under part of the tail. 



The tail is marked with black spots and ringed at the 

 tip. 



The head is beautifully mairked with black and white, 

 and the ears are dark, tipped with white. 



'. The hair of the East Indian Leopard is very short, 

 and harsh. 



The spots are sometimes merely a collection of 

 blotches with a deep shade of colour in the centre ; in 

 other specimens the rings are quite circular. 

 . The whiskers are white ; the colour of eyes is brown. 



In the cubs the hair is rather longer, and the spots 

 are very numerous and small. 



The skins of black variety of this animal are much 

 prized. In some, although never absolutely black, the 

 spots are barely perceptible owing to the darkness of 

 surrounding hair ; in lighter and greyer skins the dark 

 spots stand out in beautiful contrast. Formerly the Black 

 Leopard was considered a different species ; it is now 

 , admitted to be a mere variety, as animals of both colours 

 are found in the same litter. 



The Ceylon Leopard is very rich in colour, and has 

 rather thicker hair than the East Indian animal. 



In Bombay there appears to be a very spotted and 

 paler' type of Leopard. 



The Leopard preys on the Axis, or East Indian Deer, and 

 is said to commence eating its prey on the fore quarters. 

 It is asserted that it also kills the East Indian Bear. 

 ^ The young are pretty little creatures, and play like 

 kittens, catching their mother's tail, etc. 



