CHAPTER VIII 
THE LEOPARD {fELIS PARDUS AND LEOPAPDUS) 
It has been generally admitted that the great 
variety of this species renders a classification almost 
impossible. Different countries adopt special names 
for the varieties which inhabit the localities ; the 
leopard may be termed a panther, or cheetah, or 
wild cat, or even a jaguar, but it remains a leopard, 
differing in size, colour, and form of spots, but never¬ 
theless a leopard. I shall therefore accept that 
name as including every variety. Although the 
genus Felis embraces in its nomenclature all the 
various representatives, from the lion {Felis Leo) to 
the ordinary domestic cat, the two principal ex¬ 
amples of the race, the lion and tiger, are totally 
distinct from all others in their natural characters. 
The leopard is far more daring; at the same time it 
is infinitely more cautious, and difficult to discover. 
No lion or tiger can ascend a tree unless the 
branches spring from within 4 or 5 feet of the 
ground ; even then it would be contrary to the 
habits of the animal to attempt an ascent, although 
it might be possible under such favourable circum- 
