t
crawled helplessly toward a corner of the shed. This was the
"beef-eater" in reduced circumstances! The gallant little cow had
nearly killed him, and was giving him the finishing strokes. The
blacksmith perceived the leopard's helpless state, and, boldly opening
the door, he discharged his pistol, and the next moment was bolting as
hard as he could run, with the warlike cow after him. She was
regularly "up," and was ready for anything or anybody. However, she
was at length pacified, and the dying leopard was put out of his misery.

There are two distinct species of the leopard in Ceylon--viz., the
"chetah," and the "leopard" or "panther." There have been many opinions
on the subject, but I have taken particular notice of the two animals,
and nothing can be more clear than the distinction.

The "chetah" is much smaller than the leopard, seldom exceeding seven
feet from the nose to the end of tile tail. He is covered with round
black "spots" of the size of a shilling, and his weight rarely exceeds
ninety pounds.

The leopard varies from eight to nine feet in length, and has been
known to reach even ten feet. His body is covered with black "rings,"
with a rich brown centre--his muzzle and legs are speckled with black
"spots," and his weight is from one hundred and ten to one hundred and
seventy pounds. There is little or no distinction between the leopard
and the panther, they are synonymous terms for a variety of species in
different countries. In Ceylon all leopards are termed "chetahs" which
proceeds from the general ignorance of the presence of the two species.

The power of a leopard is wonderful in proportion to his weight. I have
seen a full-grown bullock with its neck broken by the leopard that
attacked it. It is the popular belief that the effect is produced by a
blow of the paw; this is not the case; it is not simply the blow, but
it is the combination of the weight, the power and the momentum of the
spring which renders the effects of a leopard's attack so surprising.

Few leopards rush boldly to the attack like a dog; they stalk their
game and advance crouchingly, making use of every object that will
afford them cover until they are within a few bounds of their prey.
Then the immense power of muscle is displayed in the concentrated
energy of the spring; he flies through the air and settles on the
throat, usually throwing his own body over the animal, while his teeth
and claws are fixed on the neck