368 MAMMALIA. 



arms of the sea ; it is rarely found on high mountains. It is 

 o-enerally believed to climb trees, but this is a misconcep- 

 tion ; though it sometimes happens that it may spring on a low 

 sloping limb. What is really a fact is, that every day, before 

 o-oino- in pursuit of prey, it sharpens its claws on a tree, 

 ao-ainst which it stretches all its length, and the imprint it 

 leaves on the bark is a sure indication of its presence in the 

 neighbourhood.* It is also quite exceptional that it tates 

 refuge among rocks ; ordinarily its den is found in the midst 

 of a thick forest. 



The Great Panther never hunts in the middle of the day, 

 because sunlight is not suited to its sight ; but when night comes 

 its vision is perfect, and then it starts in search of food. The 

 whereabouts of its prey, being discovered, it creeps with the 

 noiselessness of a serpent until it has arrived at a distance from 

 which it judges it can be certain of success, then, taking its spring, 

 it brings its captive to earth in an instant. In Algeria, where 

 it is conmion, it commits numerous depredations upon the herds 

 and flocks of the natives, and is not less dreaded than the Lion. 

 Oxen, Horses, Camels, Goats, Sheep — such are its ordinary bill 

 of fare. It seldom attacks Man without provocation, except 

 it should chance upon him within its bound, when, if such 

 be the case, his position would be perilous. Childi-en are fre- 

 quently its victims, as is testified by the fact mentioned in a 

 journal published towards the end of 1850. A woman was at 

 work in a field in the environs of Baraki (Algeria) ; to follow 

 her occupation with more freedom, she deposited her child on the 

 ground. Suddenly a Leopard, hearing the infant cry, rushed 

 from a neighbouring thicket, and carried it off. "When the 

 jDoor mother returned, she saw the ferocious brute entering 

 the wood with her babe in its jaws ; she followed in pursuit 

 until, exhausted, she fainted. Her infant was lost ! 



On another occasion a boy about twelve years, who tended a 

 flock of Goats, was assailed by a Leopard, which mutilated 

 him in a frightful manner. After which it fled, having been 

 frightened by the arrival of some Arabs, who were attracted 



* M. Figuier doubtless refers to the custom possessed by all the Cats, and 

 more particularly by the Panthers, of stretching themselves by insevtin"- their claws 

 in some object within reach, and extending themselves afterwards. Tabby and 

 Grimalkin at home do the same. — £d. 



