THE TIGER. 3Q 



Hunting the tiger. 



remained a considerable time, kissing the animal, 

 and bidding it farewel in tbe most tender man- 

 ner. The tiger also exhibited every possible 

 mark of attachment ; and some time elapsed be- 

 fore the keeper could reconcile it to its new 

 situation. 



This animal is fed with boiled meat, by desire 

 of the admiral who presented it. But tigers are 

 generally fed with raw flesh; of which they 

 consume five or six pounds weight in a day: and 

 they lap about three pints. of water* 



The hunting of these animals is a favourite 

 amusement with some of the Oriental princes; 

 who go in search of them, attended by consider- 

 able bodies of men well mounted and armed with 

 lances. As soon as a tiger is roused, he is in- 

 stantly attacked on all sides, with pikes, arrows, 

 and sabres, and presently destroyed. This diver- 

 sion, however, is always attended with danger ; 

 for if the animal feels himself wounded, he sel- 

 dom retreats without sacrificing some one of the 

 party to his vengeance. There are men who, 

 covered with a coat of mail, or armed only with 

 a shield, a poniard, and a short scymitar, will ven- 

 ture to attack these sanguinary beasts singly, and 

 fight with them life for life ; for in combats of 

 this nature, there is no other alternative, than to 

 overcome or perish. 



The tigress produces four or five young at a 

 litter. She is at all times furious; but when 

 rpbbed of her young her rage rises to the utmost 



