THE PANTHER. 
157 
ard. “ Even the kitten makes her claws go 
through to my skin sometimes; and I can 
fancy that the claws of a panther might he 
still more objectionable,—especially if they 
have the same habit of sharpening their 
nails. Sid, do you remember old Punch 
sharpening his claws on Mr. Bushnell’s 
leg?” 
Sidney laughed. 
“ I believe the habit is common to many 
of the cat tribe besides the panther,” said 
Mr. Crediton. “ The natives of South Ame¬ 
rica discover the neighbourhood of the 
puma and jaguar by examining certain 
trees to which the animals constantly re¬ 
sort; and Dr. Darwin saw the hard soil of 
Patagonia deeply scored with the scratches 
of the pumas. I believe they do it not so 
much to sharpen their claws as to tear off 
the ragged edges and points.” 
“ What sort of places do panthers usually 
live in?” asked one of the girls. “I can 
fancy this hollow being a very good place 
for them.” 
“And your fancy would he correct. They 
have a great fondness for rocky ravines 
and almost inaccessible ledges, where they 
14 
