THE TIGER. 



THE TIGER. 



As the lion approximates to some amiable qualities of 

 the dog, so the Tiger copies all the anxious propensities 

 of the cat to which it bears a strong . resemblance in 

 external figure, notwithstanding the disproportion in point 

 of size. His height is three feet, and length 6 ft. ; some 

 much more. As to his strength, it is nearly equal to that 

 of the lion ; and he springs upon his prey in the same way 

 as the lion. 



Though the most terrible, the tiger is certainly one of 

 the most beautiful of quadrupeds. The glossy smoothness 

 of its hair, and the distinctness of the black streaks with 

 which it is marked on a ground of a bright yellow colour 

 strike the beholder with a kind of pleasing admiration, when 

 it can be surveyed under the idea of security. Providence, 

 however, in bestowing such elegance of form on the most 

 noxious of quadrupeds, seems as if it designed to teach us, 

 that beauty without intrinsic worth is of little estimation. 



This animal -is peculiar to Asia, and is most common 

 in the East Indies. Neither force nor caresses have the 

 least influence on its stubborn nature ; with equal malignity 

 it will snap at the hand by which it is either fed or 

 chastised. With a countenance neither indicating ferocity 

 nor anger, it is savage beyond measure; and is one of the 

 most terrible scourges experienced by the human race 

 in the countries where it is found. It lurks among the 

 bushes on the sides of rivers, and bounds from its ambuscade, 

 on whatever animal comes within its reach, with an agility 

 not to be conceived, and at a distance almost incredible. 

 If it miss its object, it instantly retires abashed; but, 

 when successful, carries off the largest animal with 

 almost as much apparent facility as a cat would carry off 

 a mouse. 



A species of cruelty has been remarked in the character 

 of the tiger, unknown to the generous lion ; as well as a 

 kind of cowardice, when under the impulse of surprise, or 

 when frustrated in its aim. We are informed on good 

 authority, that, about the beginning of this century, a 

 party of ladies and gentlemen, on the banks of a river 

 in Bengal, observed, under the shade of some trees, a 

 tiger in the act of preparing for its fatal spring. In this 

 very critical dilemma, one of the ladies, with astonishing 



