ORDER CARNASSIER. 443 



dead, seizing it at the same moment by the throat with its 

 teeth ; the Tiger would then roll round on its back, holding 

 the sheep on its breast, and fixing the hind claws near the 

 throat of the animal, would kick or push them suddenly 

 backwards, and tear it open in an instant. Notwithstand- 

 ing, however, the natural ferocity of these animals in ge- 

 neral, the individual in question was so far in subjection, 

 that while one keeper held its chain during this bloody 

 exhibition, another was enabled to get the carcass of the 

 sheep away by throwing down a piece of meat previously 

 ready for the purpose. 



Three specimens in the Museum at Paris became ex- 

 tremely tame, and Mr. Cross has had instances of Tigers, 

 taken quite young, and bred up in a state of confinement, 

 exhibiting nearly as much gentleness as the Lion under 

 similar circumstances ; by showing attachment to their 

 keeper, and, in one instance, to a Dog, which was ex- 

 posed to one of them ; so that their nature appears, in 

 some degree, capable of training and education ; and the 

 furious character attributed to the Tiger must be con- 

 sidered as applicable to it only in a wild and unfettered 

 condition. 



But however the disposition of the Tiger when in con- 

 finement may yield to judicious treatment, it is very different 

 in a state of nature, and may be deemed a sanguivorous 

 animal, as it sucks the blood of its victim previously to 

 tearing or eating it; and, after having so done with one 

 animal, will leave the carcass and seize on any other that 

 may come in sight, suck the blood of this also with the 

 most horrid avidity, which will induce it almost to bury its 

 face and head in the body of its prey. We are, therefore, 

 not disposed to palliate its natural ferocity, but only to give 

 it credit for its capability of improvement. 



Tigers' skins vary as to the number of stripes and bright- 

 ness of the colours, which latter abates in some degree when 



Vor,. II. 2 H 



