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.
