I860.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 89 



Mustela sibieica, Pallas : M. Hodgsoni, Gray, Ann. Mag. N. II., 

 XI (1843), p. 118. A fine skin of a female, and an imperfect skull. 



Soeex MURiNUS (?), L. : S. Swinhoei, nobis, J. A. S. XXVIII, 

 285. The specimen formerly described was but half- grown, and has 

 the surface-colour of the upper-parts much darker than in four adults 

 now sent. In the young of S. mueinus, Dr. Cantor states (J. A. S. 

 XV, 191), that " the colour is more of a bluish grey, slightly mixed 

 with brown on the back." In the young of our present animal, the 



When I reflect on this adventure, it seems a wonder that I was not killed, but a 

 Bight of that glossy striped skin emboldened me to try the odds." I sincerely 

 trust that my esteemed friend will admit " discretion" to be " the better part of 

 valour" on any future similar occasion. He since writes (Jan. 5th) — " Tigers, 

 I am told, are greatly increasing in the neighbouring high hills. The villagers 

 report a number of lives lost ; and numerous small cattle carried away." 



Tigers appear to be very troublesome in the new Russian territory of the 

 Amur. " In the same places where the Elk is found, the Tiger prowls ; and the 

 latter animal may be called quite common, its constant abode being there. I was 

 informed by some Zolons, that there are always a great number of Tigers in the 

 mountains on the opposite or Chinese side. During winter they cross the river 

 and seize the horses of the Zolons, who hunt them at that time." Journ. Roy. 

 Geogr. Soc. XXVIII (1858), p. 420. Again, p. 424. " The enquiries I made of 

 those few Tunguses confirmed the fact of the Tiger being found all over the 

 Hing-gan, especially at its central and lower parts. The population are accord- 

 ingly prevented from hunting there, as the Tiger destroys their Horses, parti- 

 cularly during winter.*** The Tiger always follows the fresh tracks of the wild 

 Boar, which constitutes its principal food. "...And p. 440, " The inhabitants of 

 both banks of the Usuri are employed in agriculture, which the extent and fecun- 

 dity of their lands render very successful. They have bred cattle for cultivating 

 their fields, but being often attacked by Tigers, it is very difficult to keep cattle 

 in any number." Vide also Atkinson's Siberia, and Humboldt's notice of Tigers 

 in Northern Asia in Asie Centrale. However, they do not quite range to 

 America, albeit the poet Campbell places them on the banks of Lake Erie! " On 

 Erie's banks where Tigers steal along." Nor to Africa ; though Sir Walter Scott 

 locates them in "Lybia!" (Bridal of Triermain.) The Russian Expedition 

 employed on the Survey of Lake Aral, found them troublesome even there in 

 mid-winter! (Vide J. Ii. Qeog. S. Vol. XXIII, 95). 



Here it may be remarked that Tigers appear to be fast multiplying in Pinang, 

 where notices of the occurrence of this animal have several times appeared in the 

 Journals from about the middle of 1859. In the Island of Singapore, where 

 they are now so numerous and destructive, they made their first appearance five 

 or six years after the establishment of the British settlement; and but three or 

 four years ago, Dr. Oxley wrote— " The channel between Pinang and the main 

 is two miles broad; and this has been sufficient to exclude the Tiger: for 

 although there have been examples of individuals having crossed over, it has 

 been in an exhausted state, and they have been immediately destroyed." Since 

 this was written, the Tiger would appear to have fairly established itself on the 

 island. 



In another communication, dated Dec. 8th, Mr. Swinhoe notices two other 

 species of Eelis. He remarks — "AwildEuLls is found in Hongkong marked 

 like the domestic Cat, but much larger ; and an animal known to Anglo-Chinese 

 as the 'Tiger cat.'" From the description sent, evidently F. JIACKOCJELIS, or 

 F. MACuoCELOiDES if this bo distinct, or an animal very closely akin : a specimen 

 is promised shortly. 



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