THE TIGER. 



IN the class of carnivorous animals, the lion is the fore- 

 most. Immediately after him, follows the tiger ; which, 

 while he possesses all the bad qualities of the former, seems 

 to be a stranger to his good ones. To pride, courage, and 

 strength, the lion adds greatness, and sometimes, perhaps, 

 clemency ; while the tiger, without provocation, is fierce ; 

 without necessity, is cruel. Thus it is throughout all the 

 classes of nature, in which the superiority of rank proceeds 

 from the superiority of strength. The first class, sole mas- 

 ters of all, are less tyranical than the inferior classes, which, 

 denied so full an exertion of authority, abuse the powers 

 entrusted to them. 



More, therefore, than even the lion, the tiger is an object 

 of terror. He is the scourge of every country which he 

 inhabits. Of the appearance of man, and all his hostile 

 weapons, he is fearless ; wild animals, as well as tame ones, 

 fall sacrifices before him ; the young elephant and rhino- 

 ceros he frequently attacks ; and sometimes, with an 

 increased audacity, he braves the lion himself. 



In describing this formidable animal, Cuvier, one of the 

 most celebrated naturalists, places him as second to the 

 lion in strength, and excelling him in activity. " In many 



