368 
MAMMALIA. 
arms of the sea ; it is rarely found on high mountains. It is 
generally believed to climb trees, but this is a misconcep- 
tion ; though it sometimes happens that it may spring on a low 
sloping limb. What is really a fact is, that every day, before 
going in pursuit of prey, it sharpens its claws on a tree, 
against which it stretches all its length, and the imprint it 
leaves on the bark is a sure indication of its presence in the 
neighbourhood.^ It is also quite exceptional that it takes 
refuge among rocks; ordinarily its den is found in the midst 
of a thick forest. 
The Great Panther never hunts in the middle of the day, 
because sunlight is not suited to its sight ; but when night comes 
its vision is perfect, and then it starts in search of food. The 
whereabouts of its prey, being discovered, it creeps with the 
noiselessness of a serpent until it has arrived at a distance from 
which it judges it can be certain of success, then, taking its spring, 
it brings its captive to earth in an instant. In Algeria, where 
it is common, it commits numerous depredations upon the herds 
and flocks of the natives, and is not less dreaded than the Lion. 
Oxen, Horses, Camels, Goats, Sheep — such are its ordinary bill 
of fare. It seldom attacks Man without provocation, except 
it should chance upon him within its bound, when, if such 
be the case, his position would be perilous. Children are fre- 
quently its victims, as is testified by the fact mentioned in a 
journal published towards the end of 1850. A woman was at 
work in a field in the environs of Baraki (Algeria) ; to follow 
her occupation with more freedom, she deposited her child on the 
ground. Suddenly a Leopard, hearing the infant cry, rushed 
from a neighbouring thicket, and carried it off. When the 
poor mother returned, she saw the ferocious brute entering 
the wood with her babe in its jaws ; she followed in pursuit 
until, exhausted, she fainted. Her infant was lost ! 
On another occasion a boy about twelve years, who tended a 
flock of Goats, was assailed by a Leopard, which mutilated 
him in a frightful manner. After which it fled, having been 
frightened by the arrival of some Arabs, who were attracted 
* M. Figuier doubtless refers to tbe custom possessed by all the Cats, and 
more particularly by the Panthers, of stretching themselves by inserting tbeir claws 
in some object within reach, and extending themselves afterwards. Tabby and 
Grimalkin at home do the same. — Ed. 
