THE TIGER. 283 



State of libertry. M. D'Obsonville says, that al- 

 though four or five Elephants would b.ave nothing 

 to fear from a greater number of Tigers, yet, from 

 what he could remark from tliis exhibition, he v, as 

 of opinion, that when the Tiger is in full possession 

 of his faculties, he will be more tlian equal to the 

 Elephant in single combat *. 



We are told, but probably without foundation, 

 that the Tiger will encounter the- Crocodile. It ia 

 said that, when he descends to the wattr to drink, 

 the Crocodile raises its head above the surface, in 

 order to seize him, as it does other animals that 

 come there for that purpose. When this is the 

 case, the Tiger strikes his claws into the eyes of the 

 Crocodile, the only vulnerable part within his 

 reach ; and the latter, immediately plunging under 

 the water, drags in the Tiger also, and by this 

 means they are frequently both drowned. 



The Tiger, if taken young, may for a short time 

 at least, till his ferocity comes with his age, be iii 

 some measure domesticated, and rendered mild and 

 playful to his keepers. — A beautiful young Tiger, 

 brought not long ago from China, in the Pitt East*. 

 Indiaman, at the ao-e of ten months, was so far do- 

 mesticated, as to admit of e^||K kind of familiarity 

 from the people on board. ^Pseemed to be quite 

 harmless, and was as playful as a kitten. It fre- 

 quently slept with the sailors in their hamniock.s ; 

 and would suffer two or three of them to repose 

 their heads on its back, as upon a pillow, wliile it 



K1- ■ ■ — — • — 



* P'ObsouvilU', 90. 



