THE TIGER 



377 



THE TIGER (Felis tigris] 



Whether the lion or the tiger is the more powerful animal, is a question which 

 has given rise to much discussion, but, as we have already mentioned, the opinion 

 of one most competent to decide is in favor of the superiority in this respect of the 

 latter. The absence of the mane, which forms such a striking feature in the male 

 lion, renders, however, the appearance of the tiger decidedly less imposing, and hence 

 the second position in the series is commonly assigned to this "cat." 



In spite of the difference in coloration, the lion and the tiger are very closely- 

 allied animals, both agreeing in having a circular aperture for the pupil of the eye, 

 and also in regard to the characteristics of the so-called hyoid bones which support 

 the tongue. 



THE TIGER AND THE TIGRESS. 



Next to the absence of the mane in the male, and likewise of any tuft at the 

 extremity of the tail, the most important external difference between the lion and 

 the tiger is that of color. The general ground color of the fur of the tiger is a 

 rufous fawn on the upper part and sides of the body, but the tint may vary in differ- 

 ent individuals from pale rufous to brownish yellow, the under parts of the body be- 

 ing white. This rufous ground color is striped transversely with black throughout 

 the head, body, and limbs, while the tail is ringed with black. The ears are black, 

 with the exception of a large white spot. These striking colors, which are fully 

 developed at birth, are brightest in young and vigorous animals, gradually fading in 

 intensity with advancing age ; and it is stated that tigers inhabiting forest districts 

 are the reddest in ground color. As rare exceptions, both white and black tigers 

 are occasionally met with. Thus a white tiger, in which the fur was of a creamy 



