UNCERTAINTY OF NATIVE REPORTS. 217 



height, and its head as large as a bath-tub, while the panther 

 will be credited with the proportions of a large tiger. The 

 only description on which any reliance can be placed, is per- 

 haps that the animal is striped or spotted, the hyena falling 

 sometimes under the former style, and the wild-cat under the 

 latter ; for which reason some allowance should be made for 

 possible contingencies in all instances. At rare intervals of 

 time, a more than ordinarily intelligent native will dig up a 

 distinct footprint, and bring it in confirmation of his news ; 

 but such extraordinary brilliance is very uncommon, and 

 when discovered, is eagerly made use of by Government, 

 as a hook on which to Jiang a Cross of the Indian 

 Empire. 



It is somewhat strange that, whereas certain villagers, 

 and notably herdsmen, either refuse to give information 

 regarding the tiger which is decimating their cattle, or do so 

 with the utmost reluctance, they exhibit no hesitation or dis- 

 inclination in respect of the panther. For the smaller animal 

 no superstitious dread or reverence appears to be entertained, 

 so far as I have observed. 



The panther, among the predatory beasts, is remarkable 

 for his habit of getting into places where he ought not to be, 

 and where his presence is as unwelcome as it is unexpected. 

 Some are as incorrigible as bold, Disregarding chastisement 

 received or the presence of man. It is doubtful whether a 

 tiger will approach a carcase on which rays of light fall from 

 a lamp or lantern to assist the watching sportsman's aim, but 

 the panther will do so without hesitation. So, again, the 

 instances of tigers entering ^houses or leaping into boats are 

 rare, comparatively, to similar acts of housebreaking com- 

 mitted by the lesser beast. A notorious man-eating tiger 

 has been known to tear open the mat-and-reed built Avail 

 of a native house to get at the inmates ; it has been known 

 to frequent certain points on the banks of narrow streams, 

 from which it could easily leap on board passing boats, and 

 seize one of the crew ; it has been known even to board a 

 steamer at anchor ; and I have heard of a gentleman being 



