CAT KIND. 4-27 



which is the only vulnerable part of its body : 

 upon this the crocodile instantly dives under 

 water, and the tiger goes down with him, for he 

 will sooner die than let go his hold. In this 

 manner the combat continues for some time, un- 

 til the tiger is drowned, or escapes, as is some- 

 times the case, from its disabled enemy. 



These animals are common in Guiana.* They 

 were formerly seen swimming over in great num- 

 bers into the island of Cayenne, to attack and 

 ravage the flocks and herds of the inhabitants. 

 In the beginning they were a terrible scourge to 

 the infant colony ; but by degrees they were re- 

 pulsed and destroyed, and are now seen no longer 

 at that place. They are found in Brasil, in Para- 

 guay, in the country of the Amazons, and in se- 

 veral other parts of South America. They often 

 climb trees in quest of prey, or to avoid their pur- 

 suers. They are deterred by fire, like all other 

 animals of the cat kind ; or, more properly speak- 

 ing, they seldom venture near those places where 

 they see it kindled, as they are always sure of 

 their enemies being near, and their nocturnal eyes 

 are dazzled by the brightness of the blaze. From 

 the description of this animal, one would be hard- 

 ly led to suppose that its flesh was good for food, 

 and yet we have several accounts which allege 

 the fact, some asserting it to be superior even to 

 mutton ; however, what Monsieur Desmarchais 

 observes is most likely to be true, namely, that 

 the most valuable part of this animal is its skin, 



* Button, vol. xix. p. 22. 



