THE LEOPARD OE PANTHER. 67 



artificially heated atmosphere they live in during the winter, and 

 get restless and uncomfortable ; they also frequently develop the 

 germs of diseases from which they would be perfectly free in their 

 wild state. 



There is a species of leopard that inhabits the high regions of 

 Thibet, Eastern and Western Siberia, called the Ounce or Snow- 

 leopard {Felis irhis), distinguishable by its rougher coat which is 

 much paler in colour than is seen on the animal of more southern 

 districts, being somewhat of a greyish- white. Nature is here again 

 exhibiting an adoption of colouring to the surroundings, as is 

 exemplified in the ptarmigans and hares of the Highlands, which 

 change their colour with the seasons, donning a snow-white vest 

 when the ground assumes its winter garb, and resuming their 

 original greyish-brown when the sun has restored the natural 

 tints to the rocks around. 



F 2 



