130 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



and entirely without cultivation. Now, in the neighborhood of the town, and extending more 

 or less into the interior, there are considerable plantations, which have been chiefly cultivated 

 by the industrious immigrants from China. Kice, coffee, sugar, and other agricultural produc- 

 tions of the warmer latitudes are obtained, but the supjily is not sufficient for the consumption 

 of the island. The tropical fruits grow readily, among which the mangusteen reaches great 

 perfection^ although its taste did not equal the anticipations formed from the boasted delicious- 

 ness of its flavor. The fruit, however, was not in full season during the ship's stay, and it 

 may possibly not have reached the height of its excellence. The nutmeg is cultivated with 

 considerable success, as well as the cocoa-nut, orange, and other tropical fruits. 



Various European animals have been introduced into the island. The horse in use is a 

 stumpy, fiery little creature, wonderfully strong for its size. It is generally harnessed to a light 

 carriage which is in common use on the island, and may be hired in the streets of the town at 

 a moderate price for the day. The driver seldom takes his seat upon the box, but runs at the 

 head of his horse, and keeps up a speed in company with the animal of six and sometimes even 

 seven or eight miles an hour. This plan suggests a good hint for the prevention of cruelty to 

 animals, as it has the effect of securing a humane consideration for the beast, which is not likely 

 to be over driven, when for every step it takes its driver takes two, and is thus forcibly reminded 

 of a fellow feeling which cannot fail to make him "wondrous kind." 



The native animals are generally the same as those of the adjacent peninsula, from 

 which many of them migrate. The tigers especially entertain a great partiality for Singa- 

 pore, and resort there in great numbers by swimming across the strait which separates the 

 main land from the island. These are the genuine animals, which have no hesitation in 

 pouncing upon a passing traveller, or snatching up and making a meal of any unfortunate 

 Chinaman or native who may happen to be in the jungle, busy in cutting wood, clearing land 

 for the rice plantations, or otherwise occupied. It was stated on the best authority that not a 

 day passes without the destruction of one human being at least by these ferocious beasts. The 

 Commodore was at first somewhat disposed to be incredulous of this statement, but as the acting 

 governor and commander of the forces both confirmed it, he could no longer hesitate to accept 

 it as truth. He was told by them that so much of an every day occurrence was this fatality, 

 that many of the cases were not reported, in order to avoid the trouble and expense of a 

 coroner's inquest, which the laws require. "Death by tiger," however, is a verdict that 

 might be rendered daily were the legal formalities complied with. 



It is said, and probably with truth, that the tiger, after he has once tasted of human flesh, 

 becomes so fond of it that he prefers its flavor to that of his ordinary venison or wild boar, and 

 will make every effort to obtain a supply of his favorite food. It is this intense longing for 

 human flesh which makes the tiger so very dangerous to the inhabitants of Singapore, especially 

 to the poor Malay or Chinese who may be obliged to expose himself in the jungle and the 

 forest. It was said, too, that the animal showed decided preference for a Chinaman. 



Nor do these stories of the tiger seem very wonderful, when the fact is well established that 

 those savages who are addicted to cannibalism become passionately fond of their horribly 

 unnatural food. There is a tribe of Malays, called Battas, who, like their fellow Malay tigers, 

 are said by Sir Stamford Rafiles to eat one another, and to prefer such food to any other. Nor 

 are they to be classed entirely among barbarians, for these Battas can read and write, and have 

 codes of laws of great antiquity ; and yet, according to the authority just named, not less than 

 from sixty to a hundred Battas are eaten annually, even during a time of peace. 



