SPOTTED AND STRIPED MAMMALS 7 



We shall first examine some of the most markedly spotted and 

 best-known animals, viz., the Jaguar, the Leopard, the Cheetah, the 

 Ocelot, and the Serval. For my purpose the Jaguar and Leopard, 

 and also the Panther, may be considered as one animal, the others 

 being differently marked. 



Mr. G. P. Sanderson ^ says : ' The distinction between the 

 Panther and Leopard is practically small, and lies chiefly in the 

 inferior size of the Leopard. The markings, habits, and general 

 appearance (except size) of the two animals are almost identical. 

 But neither can be confounded with the Cheetah, even by the most 

 casual observer . . . the spots of the Panther and Leopard are 

 grouped in rosettes, enclosing a portion of the ground colour ; ^ 

 whereas those of the Cheetah are solid, and are separate from 

 each other.' 



Mr. Blandford^ declares that there is no difference whatever 

 between the Panther and Leopard, and Mr. Blyth was of the same 

 opinion. He also states that black and ordinary Leopard cubs 

 are often found in the same litter, and that an albino Leopard is 

 figured in Buchanan Hamilton's drawings. 



Mr. Sanderson further states that the black Leopards from Java 

 have all sorts of shades, from jet-black to light brown ; and that 

 the black Leopard seems to be confined, at least in India, to heavy 

 forest tracts, while the common variety in Mysore frequents open 

 country, and also rocky localities. 



It should be here noted that in black Leopards, as in certain 

 black Cats, the markings are often plainly visible in certain 

 lights. The marking is persistent, and quite independent of 

 melanism, or that condition which produces the general blackness 

 of the skin. 



^ 'Wild Beasts of India, p. 327. 



^ Sometimes of a different shade from the ground colour. 



^ Mammals of India, p. 68. 



