26 



MAMMALIA. 



[Chap. L 



tion of their cattle by these formidable marauders. In 

 relation to them, the natives have a curious but firm 



LEOPARD AND CHEETAH. 



conviction that when a bullock is killed by a leopard, 

 and, in expiring, falls so that its right side is under- 

 most, the leopard will not return to devour it. I have 

 been told by English sportsmen (some of whom share 

 in the popular belief), that sometimes, when they have 

 proposed to watch by the carcase of a bullock recently 

 killed by a leopard, in the hope of shooting the spoiler 

 on his return in search of his prey, the native owner of 

 the slaughtered animal, though earnestly desiring to be 

 avenged, has assured them that it would be in vain, as, 

 the beast haviDg fallen on its right side, the leopard 

 would not return. 



