HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 191 



The PANTHER 



is next in fize to the Tiger : and has, by many natural- 

 ifts, been miftaken for that animal. — Its hair is fhort and 

 fmooth ; and, inftead of being ftreaked like the Tiger, is 

 beautifully marked on the back, fides, and flanks, with 

 black fpots, difpofed in circles, from four to five in each, 

 with a fingle fpot in the center ; on the face, breafl, and 

 legs, the fpots are fingle : The colour of the body on the 

 back and fides is yellow, deep on the back, and paler to- 

 wards the belly, which is white : Its ears are fhort and 

 pointed ; its eye is reftlefs ; and its whole afpect fierce 

 and cruel. 



It is an untameable animal; and inhabits Africa, from 

 Barbary to the remoteft parts of Guinea. 



Its manner of taking its prey is the fame with that of 

 the Tiger, — Always by furprize, either lurking in thick- 

 ets, or creeping on its belly till it come within reach. 

 When preiTed with hunger, it attacks every living crea- 

 ture without diftincUon, but happily prefers the flefh of 

 brutes to that of mankind : It will even climb up trees 

 in purfuit of monkies and lefler animals ; fo that nothing 

 is fecure from its attacks. 



