184 MAMMALIA-TIGER. 



mg, and he in no instance attempted to injure tnem. Mr Cross, the present 

 keeper of Exeter 'Change, and who formerly had the care of the animals in 

 the Tower, informed me that he could himself have ventured in safety into 

 the den. The ship-carpenter, who came over with the tiger, came to the 

 Tower to see him. The animal, though they had been separated more than 

 two years, instantly recognized a former acquaintance, rubbed himself back- 

 ward and forward against the grating of his den, and appeared highly de 

 lighted. Notwithstanding the urgent request that he would not expose 

 himself to so much danger, the man begged to be let into the den, and with 

 so much entreaty, that he was at last suffered to enter. The emotions of 

 the animal seemed roused in the most grateful manner. He rubbed him- 

 self against him, licked his hands, fawned upon him like a cat, and in no 

 respect attempted to injure him. The man remained there two or three 

 hours ; and he at last began to fancy there would be some difficulty in 

 getting out alone. Such was the affection of the animal towards his former 

 friend, and so close did he keep to his person, as to render his escape by no 

 means so easy as he had expected. With some care, however, he got the 

 tiger beyond the partition of the two dens, and the keeper, watching his 

 opportunity, closed the slide, and separated them." 



Among many instances which we could adduce, where individuals have 

 fallen victims to these animals, we may mention that related by Dr Shaw, 

 where the son of Sir Hector Monro was, in 1792, attacked by a tiger, ac- 

 companied by a tigress, in such a manner as caused his death within 

 twenty-four hours. This animal lies in ambush for his prey, and not unfre- 

 quently destroys his own young. Sometimes he forms his ambush on the 

 borders of rivers and streams, where other animals are compelled to repair, 

 by the heat of the climate, for their drink; but his velocity in running is so 

 great, that few creatures escape inevitable destruction. 



These animals are peculiar to Asia. They are generally natives of 

 Bengal, the kingdoms of Siam, Tonquin, Sumatra, and China, also the 

 countries north of China, the Indus, and those of Southern Asia. Buffon 

 says they are also found in Southern Africa ; but Mr Pennant observes, that 

 he could find no authority for his assertion, inasmuch as the animals called 

 tigers by Ludolphus and Kolben were only the leopard or panther. The 

 same gentleman also observes, that this animal is, by an improper misnomer, 

 given to Africa and America. The natives of Sumatra are so infatuated 

 with the belief that they are animated by the souls of their ancestors, that 

 they seldom destroy them. 



