{84 MA MMALIA—TIGER. 
ing, and he in na instance attempted toinjure txem. Mr Cross, the present 
keeper of Exeter Change, and who formerly had the care of the animals in 
the Tower, informed me that he could himself have ventured in safety into 
the den. The ship-carpenter, who,came over with the tiger, came to the 
Tower to see him. The animal, though they had been separated more than 
two years, instantly recognized a fOrmer acquaintance, rubbed himself back- 
ward and forward against the grating of his den, and appeared highly de 
lighted. Notwithstanding the urgent request that he would not expose 
himself to so much danger, the man begged to be let into the den, and with 
so much entreaty, that he was at last suffered to enter. The emotions of 
the animal seemed roused in the most grateful manner. He rubbed him- 
self against him, licked his hands, fawned upon him like a cat, and in no 
respect attempted to injure him. The man remained there two or three 
hours; and he at last began to fancy there would be some difficulty in 
getting out alone. Such was the affection of the animal towards his former 
friend, and so close did he keep to his person, as to render his escape by no 
means so easy as he had expected. With some care, however, he got the 
tiger beyond the partition of the two dens, and the keeper, watching his 
opportunity, closed the slide, and separated them.” 
Among many instances which we could adduce, where individuals have 
fallen victims to these animals, we may mention that related by Dr Shaw, 
where the son of Sir Hector Monro was, in 1792, attacked by a tiger, ac- 
companied by a tigress, in such a manner as caused his death within 
twenty-four hours. This animal lies in ambush for his prey, and not unfre- 
quently destroys his own young. Sometimes he forms his ambush on the 
borders of rivers and streams, where other animals are compelled to repair, 
by the heat of the climate, for their drink; but his velocity in running is so 
creat, that few creatures escape inevitable destruction. 
These animals are peculiar to Asia. They are generally natives of 
Bengal, the kingdoms of Siam, Tonquin, Sumatra, and China, also the 
countries north of China, the Indus, and those of Southern Asia. Buffon 
says they are also found in Southern Africa ; but Mr Pennant observes, that 
he could find no authority for his assertion, inasmuch as the animals called 
tigers by Ludolphus and Kolben were only the leopard or panther. The 
same gentleman also observes, that this animal is, by an improper misnomer, 
given to Africa and America. The natives of Sumatra are so infatuated 
with the belief that they are animated by the souls of their ancestors, that 
they seldom destroy them. 
