F£NTfi,Ett. SiS 
the chest and belly are white ; the chest marked 
with transverse dusky stripes ; the belly and tail 
with large irregular black spots ; its ears are short 
and pointed : and the point of its nose is brown. 
It differs from the leopard in its having a deeper 
colour,, larger size, and central spots. 
It inhabits Africa, from Barbary to the remotest 
parts of Guinea. This species is next in size to the 
tiger ; it is next to it also in cruelty, and in its 
general enmity to the animal creation ; it is to 
Africa what the former is to Asia, with this alle- 
viation, that it is supposed to prefer the flesh of 
brutes to that of mankind ; but when pressed with 
hunger, it attacks every living creature without 
distinction { its manner of taking its prey is the 
same with that of the tiger, always by surprize ; 
either lurking in thickets, or creeping on its belly^ 
till it comes within reach. It will also climb trees 
in pursuit of monkies and lesser animals ; so that 
nothing is secure from its attacks ; it is seldom if 
ever tamed, but usually retains its fierce, its ma- 
levolent aspect, and perpetual growl or murmur. 
These and the leopards were the varies and pqrdi 
of the ancients. One would think that the num- 
bers the Romans drew from thence for their pub- 
lic shews, should have exhausted the deserts of 
Africa. Scaurus exhibited at one time one hun- 
dred and fifty panthers ; Pompey the Great four 
hundred and ten ; Augustus four hundred and 
twenty. They probably thinned the coasts of Mau- 
ritania of these animals ; but they still swarm in 
Guinea. 
Animals of this species, though they tan never 
be tamed, are sometimes trained to the chaee ; but 
great caution is requisite in conducting and ex- 
ercising them. When one of them is taken a hunt- 
ingj he is carried in a cart shut up in a cage, 
the door of which is opened when game appears : 
VOl. I* g g 
