TIGER. 69 



which died in the Tower in 1760, had been a prisoner 

 there for upwards -of seventy years ; and another that 

 died there since, was known to have lived in confinement 

 about sixty-three. 



The Arabians entertain a notion that the lion spares the 

 tender sex ; but Dr. Shaw discountenances this opinion. 

 It is certain, however, that he has sometimes shown mercy 

 to human beings who have been wholly in his power ; and 

 that he has even parted with a share of his food to pre- 

 serve that life which his generosity had spared. 



THE TIGER. 



As the lion approximates to some amiable qualities of 

 the dog, so the tiger possesses all the noxious propensities 

 of the cat ; to which it bears a strong resemblance in 

 external figure, notwithstanding the disproportion in 

 point of size. 



Though the most terrible, the tiger is certainly one of 

 the most beautiful of quadrupeds. The glossy smooth- 

 ness of its hair, and the distinctness of the black streaks 

 with which it is marked on a ground of a bright yellow, 

 strike the beholder with a kind of pleasing admiration, 

 when it can be surveyed under the idea of security. Pro- 

 vidence, however, in bestowing such elegance of form on 

 the most noxious of quadrupeds, seems as if it designed 

 to teach us, that beauty without intrinsic worth is of little 

 estimation. This animal is peculiar to Asia, and is most 

 common in the East Indies. Neither force nor caresses 

 have the least influence on its stubborn nature ; with equal 

 malignity it will snap at the hand by which it is either 

 fed, or chastised. Though of a countenance indicating 

 neither ferocity nor anger, it is savage beyond measure ; 

 and is one of the most terrible scourges experienced by 

 the human race in the countries where it is found. It 

 lurks among the bushes on the sides of rivers ; and bounds 

 from its ambuscade on whatever animal comes within its 

 reach, with an agility not to be conceived, and at a dis- 

 tance almost incredible. If it misses its object, it in- 



