634 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, X11 1. 
young buffalo, about half a mile from the spot, and there were, 
moreover, “pugs” even closer. The mother was shot by the late 
Mr. Dunlop at Christmas ; and the subsequent history of the cubs is 
distressing. One, as we have seen, was killed by a panther; and 
another was shot, in a starving condition, by Mr. Cox sometime 
later. 
But perhaps the most extraordinary “kill” ever seen by me was at 
Christmas. A panther killed a cow, which, when seized, gave birth 
prematurely to a calf. The cow was ignored, and the calf treated as 
an ordinary kill.” (Conditions II, If], IV a and ¢, and VII). 
Looked at from an ethical standpoint, of mercy and absence of 
eruelty towards their prey, tigers and panthers must undoubtedly be 
given credit for taking the lives of their victinis most expeditiously, 
and therefore most mercifully. The approach, as a rule, is a stealthy 
one (of itself merciful) and death must be almost instantaneous. Very 
different, as we have seen, is the condition of things where wild dogs 
are concerned, and the methods adopted by wolves, and more 
particularly by hyenas, can hardly be regarded with toleration 
by mankind. 
Since writing this paper (for which I have been collecting materials 
for several years) my attention has been drawn to the fact that 
Mr. Inverarity has aiready dealt with the subject. Through the 
kindness of the Honorary Secretary, in sending me the Journal, I have 
been able to read his valuable paper, which is to be found in Vol. ITI. 
To aspire to the knowledge displayed, and the vast array of personal 
experiences cited, is for me impossible. I am only thankful to find 
that his opinions so nearly coincide with my own; ana I would 
refer all interested in this question to that volume. 
1V.—Applicability of the Maaims to Tigers—The foregoing remarks 
have, it will be observed, been restricted exclusively to panthers. I 
myself feel disposed to consider all of them as equally applicable te 
tiger “ kills.” But my experience is somewhat limited, and subsequent 
discussion with men who can lay far greater claim to knowledge and 
experience has shown that some divergence of opinion exists. It 
appears, for instance, that it is no uncommon feature for a tiger to 
grasp the back of the neck of its victim and not its throat, though I 
have never observed this circumstance myself. 
