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Show 1883.] MR. R. T R I M E N ON A VARIETY OF T H E LEOPARD. 535 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. PLATE XLVIII. Fig. 1. Curetis gloriosa, n. sp., p. 522. 2. angulata, n. sp., p. 522. 3. arcuata, n. sp., p. 523. 4. Castalius interruptus, n. sp., p. 523. 5. Cyaniris placida, n. sp., p. 523. 6. marginata, n. sp., p. 523. 7. albidisca, n. sp., p. 524. 8. Niphanda plinioides, n. sp., p. 524. 9. Cyaniris latimargo, n. sp., p. 523. 10- jynteana, n. sp., p. 524. 11- sikkima, n. sp., p. 524. PLATE XLIX. Fig. 1. Nilasera opalina, n. sp., p. 531. 2- subfasciata, n. sp., p. 532. 3. Abisara abnormis, n. sp., p. 532. 4. Aphncsus abnormis, n. sp., p. 526. 5. Hypolyccena grotei, n. sp., p. 527. 6. cachara, n. sp., p. 527. 7. Tajuria jehana, n. sp., p. 529. 8. Hypolyccena nilgirica, n. sp., p. 527. 9. Pratipa lila, n. sp., p. 529. 5. On a remarkable Variety of the Leopard (Felis pardus), obtained in the East of the Cape Colony. By R. TRIMEN, F.R.S., F.Z.S. [Eeceived September 12, 1883.] In the Albany Museum, at Grahamstown, I have lately seen a mounted skin of Felis par dus, which differs much from any specimen that I have previously met with. It is that of a full-grown animal, but its sex is not noted. In this example the most noteworthy character is the abundance of small black simple spots, almost to the exclusion of the ordinary "rose" or "ring" spots. The small spots are very numerous on the forehead and sides of the head, all along the dorsal tract, on both sides all over the middle of the body, and also on the shoulders and outer sides of the fore legs. Imperfect rose-spots are observable on the paler spaces on the sides of the neck, of the body behind the shoulders, and of the thighs. The fur of the tail is of a sandv colour, spotted and mixed with fuscous, the terminal portion being grizzled fuscous. This specimen is labelled " Bucklands, near Koonap-presented by Mr. Buckley, August 187U." The Catalogue of the Albany Museum mentions it as a cross between the ordinary and black Leopards ; but I believe the well-known black form of the Leopard has never been met with in South Africa (if in Africa at all), the specimens recorded being from India, Java, and Sumatra. " I should thus prefer to regard this Cape specimen as an interesting aberration in the direction of the complete melanism of the so-called Felis melas. |