186 THE RIMAU-DAHAN. 
THE very handsome animal ‘which is known by the name of Rimau-dahan, or more 
popularly as the Clouded or Tortoiseshell Tiger, was, until comparatively late years, a 
stranger to this country. One of the first specimens which visited England was exhibited 
for some time in a travelling menagerie, where it died. So indifferent or so ignorant were 
its proprietors, that after its death no trace was found of this unique animal, excepting a 
tradition that its hide had been eut up for the purpose of making caps for the keepers. 
The spots and marks which cover the fur of the Rimau-dahan are so very irregular in 
shape and arrangement that a detailed description is almost impossible. Some of the 
patches are nearly oval, some are angular, some are particularly open, while others are 
enclosed within a well-defined dark edging. There are stripes like those of the tiger, 
solid spots like those of the leopard, hollow spots resembling those of the jaguar, and large 
black-edged spots like those of the ocelots. The black has a peculiarly rich and velvety 
appearance, 
The ground colour of the fur is grey, tinged with brown, and however the other mark- 
ings may vary, there are always two bold uninterrupted bands of velvety-black running 
along the entire length of the animal, beginning at the back of the head, and only ending 
at the root of the tail. The tail itself is covered with dark rings, which contrast well with 
the very light ground of the fur. The hair is rather long, and beautifully fine in its tex- 
ture. Altogether, the Rimau-dahan, although so large an animal, bears a close resem- 
blance to the Marbled Cat, which has already been mentioned on page 182. 
It seems to be a gentle animal, in despite of its size and strength, which are greater 
than those of the ocelots, and nearly approaches the tiger and leopard in those qualities. 
Two specimens, which were in the possession of Sir 8. Raffles, were exceedingly well- 
behaved and playful animals, courting notice like petted cats, and rolling over on their 
backs the better to enjoy the caresses of those who would pat or stroke their beautiful soft 
fur. Nor did they confine their sportful propensities to human companions. One of them, 
while on board ship, struck up a great friendship for a little dog that was its co-voyager, 
and used to gambol with its diminutive playfellow in the most considerate manner, taking 
great care to do no damage through its superior strength and size. While on board, it 
was fed chiefly on fowls, and generally used to extract a little amusement out of its dinner 
before it proceeded to the meal. When it received the fowl, it was accustomed to pounce 
upon the dead bird just as if it had been a living one, and tear it to suck the blood. It 
would then toss the bird about for hours, just as a cat tosses a mouse, tumbling over it, 
and jumping about it, and, after it had thus amused itself for an hour or so, would at last 
condescend to eat its feathered toy. 
The natives of Sumatra, where it is found, assert that it is by no means a savage 
animal, and that it generally restricts its depredations to the smaller deer and to birds. 
In the latter category are comprised the domesticated poultry, among which the Rimau- 
dahan is apt to make sad havoc. The curious name which is given to this animal is of 
native formation, and has been given to the creature on account of its arboreal propensities. 
It is said to spend much of its time upon the tree branches, and to lie in wait for its prey, 
crawling along a bough, with its head resting in the fork of the branches. The word 
“Dahan,” or “ Dayan,” signifies the forked portion of a bough. 
If the physiognomy of an animal is to be any test of its mental qualities, the Rimau- 
dahan is in truth—for a wild feline—a most gentle and forbearing creature. Its head is 
small in proportion to the body, and there is a very mild and pleasant expression in its 
countenance. It is not a very common animal, and even in its own land is not very often 
found. The southern portions of Sumatra are the localities which are most approved by 
this beautiful creature. 
The tail of the Clouded Tiger is peculiarly capable of that curious expansion which is 
so familiar to us in the domestic cat when she is either very much pleased or very much 
irritated. Its limbs, although apparently rather short in proportion to the dimensions of the 
body, are very thick and powerful; and altogether, the Rimau-dahan presents the appearance 
of an animal which, if it chose to take up the offensive, might be a truely fearful foe. 
An allied species, named popularly the TorToIsESHELL or SMALLER CLOUDED TIGER, 
and scientifically termed Leopardus Macroceloides, is found in the same locality as the 
