HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 207 



from the place of their ambush, with an elasticity, 

 and from a distance scarcely credible. It is highly 

 probable that, from this circumstance, the Tiger 

 may derive its name, which, in the Armenian lan- 

 guage, signifies an arrow; to the flight of which 

 this creature may very properly be compared, in 

 the quickness and agility of its bounds. 



The strength of this animal is so great, that when 

 it has killed a Deer or other animal, it carries it off 

 with such ease, that it seems no impediment to its 

 flight. If it be undisturbed, it plunges its head 

 into the body of the animal, up to its very eyes, as 

 if to satiate itself with blood. 



The Tiger is one of the few animals whose 

 ferocity can never be wholly subdued. Neither 

 gentleness nor constraint has any effect in soften- 

 ing its temper. It does not seem sensible of the 

 attention of its keeper; and would equally tear the 

 hand that feeds, with that by which it is chastised. 



A beautiful young male Tiger, lately brought 

 over from China, in the Pitt East Indiaman, at the 

 age of ten months, was so far domesticated, as to 

 admit every kind of familiarity from the people on 

 board. It seemed to be quite harmless, and was as 

 playful as a kitten. It frequently slept with the 

 sailors in their hammocks, and would suffer two or 

 three of them to repose their heads upon its back, 

 as upon a pillow, whilst it lay stretched out upon 

 the deck. In return for this, it would, however, 

 now and then steal their meat. Having one day 

 taken a piece of beef from the carpenter, he fol- 

 lowed the animal, took the meat out of its mouth, 

 and beat it severely for the theft; which punish- 

 ment it suffered with all the patience of a Dog. It 

 would frequently run out on the bowsprit, climb 



