THE CARNIVORA 383 



four feet at the shoulder. The magnificent colouring of the coat, 

 and the graceful, lithe lines and proportions of the head, body, and 

 limbs, make the Tiger the most perfect and beautiful, as well as the 

 strongest and probably most savage of the Cat tribe ; it is the very 

 summit of perfection of the Carnivorous animals, for, majestic as 

 the lion appears when viewed head on, he does not give the same 

 impression of supremely agile strength. This is borne out 

 when we come to compare the habits of the two animals, for, 

 unlike the lion, the Tiger can climb trees, and will also voluntarily 

 enter the water and swim considerable distances. Tigers habitually 

 swim over to Singapore across the Johore Strait by way of the 

 intermediate islands. 



The Lion (Felis leo) is an inhabitant of Africa, India, and 

 Western Asia, and differs from all other species of the Great Cats 

 by the magnificently developed mane of the male. It also differs 

 from the majority of Cats, in that it cannot climb. It is chiefly 

 nocturnal in its habits, hunting alone, except from the commence- 

 ment of the breeding season, when the lioness accompanies the 

 male up to the time when the cubs begin to know how to fend 

 for themselves. 



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