416 ANIMALS OF THE 



be found on his skin. Besides this, there are 

 other observable distinctions : the tiger is much 

 larger, and often found bigger than even the lion 

 himself j it is much slenderer also in proportion to 

 its size, its legs shorter, and its neck and body 

 longer. In short, of all other animals, it most 

 resembles the cat in shape ; and if we conceive 

 the latter magnified to a very great degree, we 

 shall have a tolerable idea of the former. 



In classing carnivorous animals, we may place 

 the lion foremost ; * and immediately after him fol- 

 lows the tiger, which seems to partake of all the 

 noxious qualities of the lion, without sharing any 

 of his good ones. To pride, courage, and strength, 

 the lion joins greatness, clemency, and generosity ; 

 but the tiger is fierce without provocation, and 

 cruel without necessity. The lion seldom ravages 

 except when excited by hunger ; the tiger, on the 

 contrary, though glutted with slaughter, is not 

 satisfied, still continues the carnage, and seems to 

 have its courage only inflamed by not finding re- 

 sistance.t In falling in among a flock or a herd, 

 it gives no quarter, but levels all with indiscrimi- 



The remainder of this description is taken from M. Buffon, except 

 where marked with commas. 



[f There is a sort of cruelty in the devastations of the tiger unknown to 

 the generous lion, as well as a poltroonery in its sudden retreat on any dis- 

 appointment. " In the beginning of this century," says Mr I'ennant, 

 " some gentlemen and ladies, being on a party of pleasure, were seated 

 under a shade of trees on the banks of a river in Bengal, when they observed 

 a tiger preparing for its fatal spring ; one of the ladies, with amazing presence 

 of mind, laid hold of an umbrella, and unfurled it in the animal's face, which 

 instantly retired, and thus gave the company an opportunity of removing 

 from so terrible a neighbour. Another party, however, had not the same 

 good fortune : a tiger darted among them while they were at dinner, seized 

 on one gentleman, carried him off, and he never was more heard of."] 



