THE CHEETAH. 
Felis jubata. 
Plate XIII. 
Tiie Cheetah or Hunting Leopard, as it is often called, like several others of the Cats which have already 
been noticed, is found in Africa as well as in Southern Asia. At any rate the Cheetahs of these two 
countries have not yet been accurately distinguished, although individuals living in captivity in Europe 
appear to vary considerably in size and coloration. 
In the Cape Colony the Cheetah is not so common as the Leopard, and inhabits more open country. 
“Both of these species,” we are told by Sir W. Cornwallis Harris, “are the deadly enemies of the Pig-faced 
Baboon (Cynocephalus porcarius), large colonies of which people the rugged regions of Southern Africa.” 
'I'lie only Hunting Pard met with during his expedition was at the foot of the Caslian mountains, but the 
animal, he tells us, although not very abundant, is found throughout the Amazooloo country. 
In India and Persia this animal is often trained for hunting Antelopes and Gazelles, being noted for its 
comparative gentleness and great docility when in a state of semi-domesticity. It is brought into the field 
covered in a cart, and only let out when the game is within view. It then steals forwards after the usual 
manner of the cat-tribe, until it arrives sufficiently near to execute the deadly spring with which it seizes 
its victim. On the hunter’s coming up, the Cheetah is enticed off by the offer of small pieces of meat, and 
again placed in the cart until more game is in sight. 
In the first volume of the Society’s “Transactions,” Professor Owen has given a detailed account of the 
anatomy of the Cheetah, from a specimen which died in the Menagerie. 
The Cheetah requires much more care and protection, when in captivity in this country, than any other 
of the larger Felidce. The open dens in which the health of Lions and Tigers may be preserved with 
tolerable facility, are not suited to the more delicate frame of the Hunting Pards, and a roomy compartment, 
well warmed and ventilated, has been found to be quite essential to the welfare of this animal. With these 
additional comforts, however, the examples of the Cheetah in the Society’s Menagerie have not generally 
been long-lived, three or four years having been usually the longest pei’iod of their existence in our Gardens. 
