Leopard.

The leopard, also called the pard and panther, is the largest spotted cat of the old world, and is exceeded in strength and ferocity only by the lion and tiger of the old world, and the jaguar and cougar of the new. It is one of the most graceful and beautiful beasts in existence, The average full-grown leopard is about four feet long, tail three feet long. Its skull measures nine inches long by five and a half inches in breadth. It is smooth-haired, without mane or beard. It inhabits the wooded country throughout Africa and across Asia to Japan, Java, and some other islands, It is very agile as well as sturdy, and climbs trees as easily and almost as quickly as a common cat. It does not like the water, and always avoids it, except when driven to it by pursuers, but when once in, is a thoroughly good swimmer. The leopard and panther are now acknowledged to be but slight varieties of the same species. They are easily startled, and if frightened, will, in most cases, make off with all the speed at their command, which is enormous. Nevertheless, they are a very dangerous beast to meet in their native woods, and in a menagerie, like all members of the cat tribe, are treacherous, and never to be trusted. Their teeth, claws and tails are used extensively by the Kaffirs for ornaments.

Kuda-Ayer.

The name of this animal means a river-horse; it is also called Vennu. Strange to say, it never swims, but walks on the bed of streams, and while it somewhat resembles swine, is more nearly allied to the rhinoceros. It is of an exceedingly retiring disposition, and concealing itself in the thickest underwood of Malacca and Sumatra, of which countries it is a native, is seldom even seen by the most diligent hunters. Its body is stout and clumsy, thick legs ending in four small hoofs on the fore feet, and three on the hind feet. Its head is of a peculiar shape, with a long and very flexible snout, or short proboscis, and a high crest or poll. The body is nearly naked; parts of it are sooty black but the back and flanks are a greyish white. The young are beautifully variegated, striped and spotted with yellow fawn color on the upper part of the body, and white below. The hide is used to some extent for leather, and the flesh for food, although the latter is dry and tasteless.

Whallabee.

This is the general native name of the smaller kangaroos of Australia, animals celebrated the world over for the disproportionate length and strength of the hinder parts, their enormous leaping propensities and their capacity for carrying their young in pouches. They are peculiar to Australia, and are now much hunted for their hides, which make excellent leather for shoes. The one represented is not as large as the common, or woolly kangaroo, being only four feet six inches in total length, of which two feet is tail. The fur is long and coarse in texture, and decidedly harsh to the touch. It is an inhabitant of New South Wales, and is of frequent occurrence in the neighborhood of Port Jackson. It is sometimes known as the Aroe kangaroo, and is regarded as very valuable for game, as is the Pademelon whallabee of the same country, and which also lives in herds of hundreds in the scrubs of the interior of Tasmania.

Llama.

The llama is sometimes called the American camel, and is closely related to the camel of the old world, although it is smaller, has no hump, and is not woolly-haired. It is known only in a state of domestication, and was the only beast of burden in America before the arrival of the Spaniards. It is still used as such in the Andes of South America, the formation of its feet enabling it to walk on slopes too rough, or too steep, for any other animal. Its toes are completely divided, with a rough cushion beneath, and strong, claw-like hoofs above. It is about three feet high at the shoulder, is able to carry a weight of one hundred pounds, and to travel fourteen or fifteen miles per day. Its flesh is coarse and dark. The llama is closely allied to the alpaca. One of its chief merits is that it costs very little to keep, as it is usually depended upon to find its own food after traveling all day. It has an obstinate disposition, and in many cases lies down, and refuses to move. Not being of very great value, it is frequently killed on the spot, and its place supplied by another chosen from a number which are taken along to be used in such an emergency. Like the camel, the llama requires very little water.