114 NATURE'S TEACHINGS. 



struck right and left, dashing beneath the clubs and spears of 

 their enemies, and always trying to rip up their stomachs, 

 just as is done with the Wag-nuk. In order to guard against 

 this weapon, the Samoan warrior wears a belt of cocoa-nut fibre 

 some eight inches wide, and thick enough to defy the best 

 gauntlet that could be made. 



One celebrated Samoan warrior, a man of gigantic stature 

 and strength, was addicted to the amusement of seizing his 

 enemies with the shark-tooth gauntlets, breaking their backs 

 across his knee, throwing them down, and going off after 

 another victim. 



ON the left hand of the illustration is seen the hind-foot of 

 the Tiger. I have chosen the hind-foot for two reasons : firstly, 

 because the fore-foot has already been figured ; and secondly, 

 because the hind-foot is used for tearing open the abdomen of 

 the prey. Any one who has played with a kitten has noticed 

 how the animal throws itself on its back, clasps the wrist with 

 its fore-paws, and kicks vigorously with its hind-legs. It does 

 not mean to hurt its playfellow, but the hand does not easily 

 escape without sundry scratches. 



Child's play though it may be in the kitten, it is no play at 

 all with the tiger, or even the leopard, for either of these 

 animals, when hard pressed, will throw itself on its back, 

 clasp the foe in its fore-paws, and with the talons of the hind- 

 feet tear him to pieces. 



