THE CHEETAH, OR HUNTING LEOPAED. 93 



the subtle animal, followed by the excitement of watching its 

 stealthy approach, in which cunning and agility are so wonder- 

 fully displayed, then the final bounds, made with lightning-like 

 rapidity, the flight of the terror-stricken animals, which become 

 probably too paralyzed when they see their enemy to employ 

 their full powers of speed, and the supreme moment having arrived, 

 there is the graceful but terrible spring, which brings the quarry in 

 the clutches of the cheetah. The whole sport is in fact an exhibi- 

 tion of animal powers exerted in their most attractive form to 

 Oriental races. It is enhanced possibly by the fact that it 

 can be pursued and enjoyed with little or no exertion on their 



part. It is not difficult therefore to comprehend what an attraction 

 it must have for the inhabitants of some Eastern countries, 

 and also for many Europeans of particular temperaments. 



In captivity cheetahs are peculiarly tame and affectionate animals. 

 They purr like a cat when noticed or fondled. "They are 

 extremely fond of play," quoting Mr. Bennet,* "and their 

 manner of playing very much resembles that of the cat, with the 

 difference, howevei*, that it never, as in the lattet animal, degene- 

 rates into mahcious cunning or wanton mischief. Their character, 

 indeed, seems to be entirely free from that sly and suspicious 



* " Tower Menagerie." 



