CARNIVORA. 
39 
and the tiger are almost the only spotted or striped 
beasts, the rest being uniform in colour, though it 
varies in the different species. By the whole context 
of the quotation from this writer, given in the sub- 
joined note*, it appears probable, that the moderns 
have been incorrect in applying the word pardus 
specifically, as it was originally used only to denote 
a sexual distinction in the whole genus. 
Modern zoologists have fallen into so many certain 
errors in describing these species as distinct, that the 
probability of their identity is rather strengthened 
by applying to their authority on this subject. To 
select a few instances. 
Linneus gives as the specific characters of the 
panther, “ Felis, cauda elongata, corpore maculis 
superioribus orbiculatis, inferioribus virgatis.” With 
a long tail, the upper part of the body covered with 
* Panthera et tigris macularum varietate prope solae bestiarum 
spectantur, cseteris unus ac suus cuj usque generis color est leonum, 
tantuiu in Syria niger. Pantherus in candido breves macularum 
oculi. Ferunt odore earum mire solicitari quadrupedes cunctas, 
sed capitis torvitate terreri. Quamobrem occultata eo^ reliquas 
dulcedine inviiatas corripiunt. Sunt qui tradunt in armo iis similae 
lunae esse maculam, crescentes in orbes^ et cavantem pari modo 
cornua. Nunc varias, et pardos, qui mares sunt, appellant in eo 
Omni genere, creberrimo in Africa Syriaque. Quidam ab iis pan- 
theras solo candore discernunt, nec adhuc aliam differentiam in- 
veni. Plinii Nat. Hist. lib. x. 
In another passage mention is made of the pardi, pantherae, 
leones, et similia. Now, unless pardi and pantherae were applied 
to the two sexes of the spotted cats, they could not have been 
synonymous, as the moderns have made them. 
