THE PANTHER. 
15 
) 
j from head to tail ; its forehead is spotted with black, as also are j 
] its legs ; the shoulders, sides and rump are beautifully marbled 
j with long stripes of black, forming oval figures, filled in the j 
j middle with small black spots. The colors of the female are not ( 
) so bright as those of the male, nor is she so beautifully marked. | 
j The ocelot retains his natural ferocity in captivity, and is rarely 
! tamed. It would appear that it is not susceptible of docility, 
| and no kindness can soften the ferocity of its disposition or calm 
1 its restlessness. 
he Panther is next in size to the tiger, and, so little difference 
is there in appearance, naturalists have often mistaken one 
for the other. It is a native of Africa, hut is also found in 
the hot parts of Asia, the islands of the East Indies, in Persia, 
and Northern China. Its hair is short and smooth, and, instead 
of being striped like the tiger, is beautifully marked on the hack, 
sides and flanks with black spots, disposed in circles of from four 
to five in each, with a single spot in the centre, thus affording 
some resemblance to the form of a rose, — on the face, breast and 
legs they are single ; the color of its body is of a deep yellow on 
the back, graduating to a lighter shade towards the belly, which 
is white ; has short and pointed ears and a restless eye. It is an 
untamable animal, and fierce and cruel in its nature. The man- 
ner of taking its prey is by surprise — lurking in thickets, or 
creeping on its belly till it comes within springing distance. 
