130 THE TIGER. 



when he lashed his sides with his tail. It is now, however, proved to be nothing but a piece 

 of thickened skin, whicli is only slightly attached by its base to the member on which it rests, 

 and falls off at a very gentle touch. A similar protuberance has been discovered on the tail of 

 an Asiatic leopard. 



Before bidding farewell to the African Lion, it is but right to refer to the species or variety 

 which inhabits the more northern portion of this huge continent. According to the account 

 of Jules Gerard, the French lion-hunter, the Northern Lion is far more formidable an antago- 

 nist than his Southern relative. But to an unprejudiced reader, the spirited narratives which 

 are given in the name of that author seem rather to bear reference to the singular cowardice 

 of the native Algerian mind when brought in contact with the Lion, than the absolute ferocity 

 of the animal, or the courage of the hunter. 



To take but one instance. 



That a large party of warriors, each armed with loaded musket, should stand in a row 

 with their backs against a rock, trembling in deadly fear, whilst a Lion walked coolly along 

 the line, with tail erect, in calm defiance of the firelocks that waved their faltering muzzles 

 before his gaze like ears of corn before the gale, speaks but little for the courage of the war- 

 riors, and, in consequence, for that of their impudent foe. 



It is true, also, that the North African Lion is a terribly fearful opponent on a dark night, 

 when he is met face to face, with but a few yards between his body and the rifle-muzzle of the 

 hunter ; but so is the Lion of Southern Africa, in similar circumstances. All animals, like 

 dogs, "bark best on their own threshold," and it behoves a man, who dares alone to make his 

 nocturnal quest after the Lion, to bear a bold heart, a quick eye, and a ready hand. Yet 

 these accomplishments are far more general than some writers would have us suppose, and 

 there is many an unassuming hunter who sallies out at night and shoots a Lion or two 

 without thinking that the beast was so inordinately ferocious, or himself so marvellously 

 coiirageous. 



There is really nothing in the character or history of the Lion of Algeria that could sepa- 

 rate him from the Lion of Southern Africa. 



UPON the African continent, the lion reigns supreme, sole monarch over the feline race. 

 But in Asia his claims to undivided royalty are disputed by the TIGER, an animal which equals 

 the lion in size, strength, and activity, and certainly excels him in the elegance of its form, the 

 grace of its movements, and the beauty of its fur. The range of the Tiger is not so widely 

 spread as that of the lion, for it is never found in any portions of the New World, nor in 

 Africa, and, except in certain districts, is but rarely seen even in the countries where it 

 takes up its residence. Some portions of country there are, which are absolutely infested 

 by this fierce animal, whose very appearance is sufficient to throw the natives into a state of 

 abject terror. 



In its color the Tiger presents a most beautiful arrangement of markings and contrasts of 

 tints. On a bright tawny yellow ground, sundry dark stripes are placed, arranged, as may be 

 seen by the engraving, nearly at right angles with the body or limbs. Some of these stripes 

 are double, but the greater number are single dark streaks. The under parts of the body, the 

 chest, throat, and the long hair which tufts each side of the face, are almost white, and upon 

 these parts the stripes become very obscure, fading gradually into the light tint of the fur. 

 The tail is of a whiter hue than the upper portions of the body, and is decorated in like manner 

 with dark rings. 



So brilliantly adorned an animal would appear to be very conspiciious among even the 

 trees and bushes, and to thrust itself boldly upon the view. But there is no animal that can 

 hide itself more thoroughly than the Tiger, or which can walk through the underwood with 

 less betrayal of its presence. 



The vertical stripes of the body harmonize so well with the dry dusky jungle grass among 

 which this creature loves to dwell, that the grass and fur are hardly distinguishable from each 

 other except by a quick and experienced eye. A Tiger may thus lie concealed so cleverly, 

 that even when crouching among low and scanty vegetation, it may be almost trodden on with- 



