THE WILD ANIMALS OP BRITISH INDIA. 363 



it is suspected that some cases of murder are concealed — the 

 cause of death or disappearance being attributed to wild beasts. 

 The total number of cattle reported as killed by wild beasts in 

 1886 was 55,203 ; but this also gives a rather inadequate idea of 

 the true mortality amongst tame animals ; for, in the first place, 

 many must be killed whilst grazing in the jungles, whose death 

 the' poor owner never reports to the police ; and the return only 

 includes cows and oxen, and buffaloes ; whilst it is incidentally 

 mentioned that nearly 8000 sheep and goats were killed in 

 Madras, in addition to 10,000 head of cattle. 



The following table exhibits the numbers of the human 

 victims, according to several wild animals by which they were 

 slain : — 



2707 



The account per contra, showing the number of wild animals 

 destroyed, and the amount of rewards paid for their destruction, 

 stands as follows : — 



Total - - - 22,417 Total 163,438 



Thus it will be seen that, on the whole, the wild beasts had 

 much the worst of the conflict. As between tigers and men, 

 unfortunately, the numbers were more nearly equal; but on 

 looking into the details from the different provinces, very 

 remarkable differences appear. For instance, in Lower Bengal 

 580 persons were killed by tigers, but only 245 tigers were killed ; 



