THE TIGER. 



Tiger in a jungle. 



Bengal Tiger. 



This magnificent animal is found only in Asia, Hindostan being the part most infested by it. In size it 

 is almost equal to the Lion, its height being from three to four feet, and its length rather more than eight 

 feet. It has no mane, but to compensate for this deficiency it is decorated with black stripes, upon a 

 ground of reddish yellow fur, which becomes almost white on the under parts of the body. The chase of 

 the Tiger is among the most exciting and favorite sports in India. A number of hunters assemble, 

 mounted on elephants trained to the sport, and carry with them a supply of loa led rifles in their howdahs, 

 or carriages mounted on the elephants' backs. Thus armed, they proceed to the spot where a tiger has 

 been seen. The animal is usually found hidden in the long grass or jungle, which is frequently eight or 

 more feet in height, and when roused, it endeavors to creep away under the gra-s. The movement of the 

 leaves betrays him, and he is checked by a rifle ball aimed at him through t le jungle. Finding that he 

 cannot escape without being seen, he turns round, and springs at the nearest elephant, endeavoring to 

 clamber up it, and attack the party in the howdah. This is the most dangerous part of the proceedings, 

 as many elephants will turn round and run away, regardless of the efforts of their drivers to make them 

 face the Tiger. Should, however, the elephant stand firm, a well-directed ball checks the Tiger in his 

 spring, and he then endeavors again to escape, but a volley of rifle balls from the backs of the other 



elephants, who by this time 

 -•f^**. have come up, lays the savage 



animal prostrate, and in a very 

 short time his skin decorates 

 the successful marksman's how- 

 dah. These hunts are not car- 

 ried on without considerable 

 danger, as in some cases the 

 Tiger has succeeded in reaching 

 the howdah, and more than 

 one hunter has been known to 

 overbalance himself in his anx- 

 iety to get a shot at his game, 

 and has fallen into the very 

 claws of the enraged brute. 

 Once a wounded Tiger sprang 

 at a badly trained elephant, who 

 immediately turned round and 

 made off. The Tiger succeeded 

 in reaching the elephant's tail, 

 which it mangled dreadfully, 



Sir Bobert Gillespie leaping OTer a Tiger and spearing him at the same time. 



