THE LION-TIGER. 45 



"After ascertaining the state of our rescued comrade, who 

 fortunately had sustained no other injury than a slight scratch 

 on the back, and a severe bruise on the ribs, from the force 

 with which the animal had dashed him to the ground, we re- 

 newed the chase, with Hottentots and hounds, in full cry. In 

 a short time we again came up with the enemy, and found him 

 standing at bay under an old mimosa-tree, by the side of a 

 mountain-stream, which we had distinguished by the name of 

 Douglas Water. The dogs were barking round, but afraid to 

 approach him, for he was now beginning to growl fiercely, and 

 to brandish his tail in a manner that showed he was meditating 

 mischief. The Hottentots, by taking a circuit between him 

 and the mountain, crossed the stream, and took a position on 

 the top of a precipice overlooking the spot where he stood. 

 Another party occupied a position on the other side of the 

 glen, and, placing the poor fellow thus between two fires, 

 which confused his attention, and prevented his retreat, we 

 kept battering at him, without truce or mercy, till he fell, 

 unable again to grapple with us, covered with wounds and 

 glory." 



LION-TIGER HYBRIDS. 

 {Plate III.) 



Although there is no record that such cross-breeding occurs 

 in a state of nature, Lions and Tigers will occasionally breed 

 together in captivity; but it is remarkable that the only recorded 

 instances of such interbreeding took place between a single 

 Lion and a Tigress. Attempts have, indeed, recently been 

 made in the Zoological Gardens at Dublin, where, as men 

 tioned above, Lion-breeding is carried on with remarkable 

 success, but hitherto without any successful result. 



The history of these hybrids has been very carefully worked 

 out by Professor Valentine Ball, Director of the Science and 



