138 
THE LEOPARD. 
vellers, the depredations of the leopard in 
part of Africa are not confined to nig^**'^^ 
irruptions into the pens and folds of 
cattle ; but he frequently carries off yoni*r 
children, when he meets with them iinp*’^" 
tected. Still, less fierce than the panth®*^’ 
the leopard seldom ventures to attack a rna**' 
should he accidentally encounter one, eV®’’ 
unarmed, he betakes himself, with the strong 
est symptoms of fear, to the coverts of 
forest or the desert. 
In watching for his prey, the leop^^*^ 
crouches on the ground, with his fore-pa"’ 
stretched out and his head between them^ 
eyes being rather directed upwards. His 
pearance in his wild state is exceedingly bca" 
tiful ; his motions in the highest degree ea») 
and graceful, and his agility in boundi"^’ 
among the rocks and woods truly amaziP^' 
Of this activity no idea can be formed 
those who have merely seen these animals 
