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HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



THE TIGER. 



(Felis Tigris, Linn. Le Tigre, Buff.) 



Is the most rapacious and destructive of all 

 carnivorous animals. Fierce without provocation, 

 and cruel without necessity, its thirst for blood^is 

 insatiable: though glutted with slaughter, it con- 

 tinues its carnage, nor ever gives up so long as a 

 single object remains in its sight : flocks and herds 

 fall indiscriminate victims to its fury : it fears 

 neither the sight nor the opposition of man, whom 

 it frequently makes its prey, and it is even said to 

 prefer human flesh to that of any other animal. 



The Tiger is peculiar to Asia, and is found as far 

 North as China and Chinese Tartary : it inhabits 

 Mount Ararat and Hyrcani, of old famous for its 

 wild beasts. The greatest numbers are met with in 

 India and its islands. They are the scourge of the 

 country : they lurk among the bushes, by the sides 

 of rivers, and almost depopulate many places. 

 They seldom pursue their prey, but bound upon it 



