*?2 Q^U ADRUPEDS. 



hence form a conception of the enormous ftrength of this rapacious 

 animal. As to its agility, we may guefs at it, by obferving the diftance 

 a cat can leap, which is feveral feetj and doubtlefs the tiger,' being ten 

 times as long, can fpring proportionably. They are alfo fleet in run- 

 ning, but feldom exert this quality, preferring to take their prey by 

 furprife, rather than chafing. 



This fpecies is extremely fcarce ; of the number of its young wc 

 have no certain accounts ; it is faid to bring four or five at a time ; the 

 female, ever furious, then exceeds her ufual rapacity. If her young be 

 taken from her, fhe purfues the fpoiler with incredible rage; if fhe 

 overtake him, he drops one cub, with which fhe immediately returns 

 to her den, and again purfues him ; he drops another, and by the time 

 fhe has returned with that, efcapcs with the remainder. 



The tiger exprelTes its refentment much like the lion ; moves the 

 mufclesand fkin of its face, fhews its teeth, and fhrieks frightfully. Its 

 note is very different from that of the lion, being rather a fcream than a 

 roar. The Indians fometimes eat its flefh, and find it neither difagree- 

 able norunwholfome. 



There is an American animal, ufually called the Red or Brown Tiger 

 (by Mr. Buffon, the Cougar), which, though very different from the 

 true tiger, yet refembles it except in colour, being equally flender, and 

 fmaller necked, than others of the panther kind. 



Thefe are common in South-America, and extremely deftruflive, car- 

 rying off fowls, dogs, and other domeftic creatures. The Negroes and 

 Indians are very dexterous in encountering them; and fome, for a fmall 

 reward and their llcins, feck their retreats. Their arms in this combat 

 are a lance of two or three yards long, of heavy wood, the point har- 

 dened in the fire ; and a kind of fcymitar, about three quarters of a 

 yard in length. They wait till the tiger affaults the left-hand, which 

 holds the lance, and is wrapped in a fhort cloak of baize. Sometimes 

 the animal, aware of danger, declines the combat j but is provoked 

 with a flight touch of the lance, which, when it feels, it grafps with one 

 paw, and with the other ftrikes at the arm which holds it. At this mo- 

 ment the perfon, with his other hand, nimbly aims a blow with his 

 fcymitar, and hamfl:rings the creature, which immediately draws back 

 enraged, but infl:antly returns to the charge, and by another flroke on 

 the other paw, is deprived of the power of motion, and becomes an 

 cafy conquefl:, 



7 Thefe 



