Panther,
PANTHER, another name for the leopard (g.v^f f>if^%(i,in America as the name of the puma (q.V-). The word is ap adap; tation of Lat. panlhcra; Gr. Trdi'drjp, the supposed derivafion, of which from was, all, and drjp, animal, gave rise to ifla^iy tf^les and fables in medieval bestiaries and later scientific wo^'ks. The panther was supposed to be a distinct anitoal frpm )-he pardus, pard, the leopard, to which ajso maay Ipgends j\'ere attached. In modern times a distinction had been ^n&(;ie^ ltifically drawn between a larger type of leopard to w'hich ijie oarae panther was given, and a smaller and more graceful ^pecj^ej^.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
