70 -^LU A D R U P E D S. 



another place, and, if obfcrufted, defends them with deternained cou- 

 rage to the laft. 



The lion can fubfift in temperate climates ; and formerly even the 

 fouth of Europe was infefted by him. He is only found now in Africa 

 and the Eaft-Indies, where he grows to an enormous height. The lion 

 of Biledulgerid is faid to be nearly five feet high, and between nine and 

 ten feet from the tip of the nofe to the tail. The ordinary fize is about 

 four feet -, the female being about one third lefs than the male. 



The author of the CEconomy of Nature gives a wonderful relation of 

 the inftincl of lions. Amid the burning heat of Africa the pelican makes 

 her neft ; and in order to cool her brood, and accuftom them to an ele- 

 ment with which they muft afterwards be familiar, fiie brings from afar, 

 in her great gular pouch, fufficient water to fill the neft : the lion (and 

 other wild beads) approach and quench their thirfl; yet never injure 

 the unfledged birds, as if confcious their deflruftion would flop thofe 

 grateful fupplies. 



THE TIGER. 



THE ancients had a faying, "itbat as the peacock is the moft beautiful 

 ' among birdsy Jo is the tiger among quadrupeds. No quadruped 

 can be handfomer. The glolTy fmoothnefs and brightnefs of his hair, 

 the extreme blacknefs of its ftreaks, the bright yellow ground they di- 

 verfify, are all eminently beautiful. To this is added an extremely ele- 

 gant form, llcnder and delicate, exprelTing Angular fwifcnefs and agility. 

 But this animal's difpofition is as mifchievous, as its form is admirable : 

 fierce and favage beyond meafure ; neither can correflion terrify, nor 

 indulgence tame it. The carefTes of its keeper have no influence on its 

 manners, and correftion only increafes its fiercenefs and malignity. 

 The tiger fnapsat the hand that feeds it; fcems to con fider every objeft 

 as its proper prey, which it devours with a look j and, though confined 

 by bars and chains, makes fruitlefs efforts, as if to demonflrate its fero- 

 city, though it cannot exert its power. 



The principal diflindlion of the tiger, is the fhape of its ftreaks, which 

 run in the fame diredbion as his ribs, from the back down to the belly, 

 differing from the leopard, panther, and ounce, which are fpotted. 

 The. tiger is ofcen found bigger than the lion himfelf i is much flenderer 



alfo. 



