134 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS. CHAP. V. 



the other hand, pushes his opponent to the extreme, 

 giving him no respite, but charging with the greatest 

 impetuosity. The one seems to be contented with a 

 secession of arms, the other carries on a war of ex- 

 termination. Formidable as are the thrusts of the 

 buffalo, the peculiar texture of the tiger's skin pre- 

 vents the animal from being so much injured as might 

 at first be supposed : it will, in fact, withstand such 

 thrusts as the spectator would deem irresistible. The 

 gloss of the thick though short fur, and the natural 

 pliancy of the hide may account for this ; so that, in 

 general, the animal is more bruised than gored by its 

 adversary's horns. The attacks, however, of the 

 buffalo are unremitted. Although naturally erect, with 

 the points of his horns turned backwards, he inverts 

 his whole position when about thirty or forty yards 

 from his antagonist ; he' then brings his nostrils be- 

 tween his fore legs ; his horns are thus pointed forward, 

 and not more than an inch or two from the ground. 

 In this manner he proceeds at full speed ; a quick re- 

 moval, however, on one side, is sufficient to insure 

 safety. The motions of the buffalo are so rapid, and 

 his fury so great, that a second or a third charge follow 

 in quick succession, until the tiger, worn out by these 

 attacks, or, perhaps, unable longer to avoid the deadly 

 thrust, is finally overcome." The natives assert that a 

 buffalo, not absolutely defeated, will never quit a tiger 

 until its death may proclaim a victory ; and that, even 

 when its subdued opponent may be breathless, the 

 buffalo, as if to glut its revenge, shows a savage joy in 

 still tossing about the body of the tiger. It is a 

 singular fact, that the animals selected on these occa- 

 sions are always taken from the domesticated breed of 

 buffaloes, which may naturally be supposed to possess 

 far less courage and strength than the wild race. Both, 

 however, are considered of as implacable a disposition 

 as the rhinoceros.* 



(156.) On looking to the Pachydermato, or thick- 



* Williamson's Field Sports. 



