THE TIGER. 159 



leopard or the panther, though somewhat more slen- 

 der in proportion to its height and length; and its 

 form so completely resembles that of a cat, as almost 

 to induce us to consider the latter animal as a tyger in- 

 miniature. The most striking difference which is ob- 

 served between the tyger and the other mottled ani- 

 mals of the cat kind, consists in the different marks on 

 the skin. The panther, the leopard, &c. are spotted,, 

 but the tyger is ornamented with long streaks quite 

 across its body, instead of spots. The ground colour 

 in those of the most beautiful kind is yellow, very 

 deep on the back, but growing lighter towards the 

 belly, where it softens to white, as also on the throat 

 and the insides of the legs. The bars which cross the 

 body perpendicularly from the back to the belly, are 

 of the same beautiful black; and the skin altogether 

 is so extremely fine and glossy, that it is much es- 

 teemed, and sold at a high price in all the eastern 

 countries, especially China. The mandarins cover 

 with it their seats of justice, and use it also for 1 

 cushions and pillows. 



The tyger is said by some to prefer human flesh to 

 that, of any other animal : it is certain, however, that 

 it does not, like many other beasts of prey, shun the 

 presence of man, and far from dreading his opposi- 

 tion, frequently seizes him as his victim. These fero- 

 cious animals seldom pursue their prey, but lie in am- 

 bush and bound upon it with a surprising elasticity, 

 and from a distance almost incredible. The strength, 

 as well as the agility of this animal is wonderful: it 

 carries off a deer with the greatest ease, and will even 

 carry a buffalo. If left undisturbed, it plunges its 

 whole head up to the very eyes into the body of its 

 victim, to satiate itself with the blood. It attacks all 

 kinds of animals, except the elephant and rhinoceros: 

 furious combats sometimes happen between the tyger 

 and the lion, in which both sometimes perish. 



The ferocity of the tyger can never be wholly sub- 

 dued : for neither gentleness nor restraint makes any 

 alteration in its disposition : it appears insensible of 

 the attention of its keeper, and would tear the hand 



