48 VERTEBRATES. 



the latter part of Cumming's residence in South Africa a dreadftil 

 instance of their ferocity occurred. While the hunting party was 

 encamped for the night in the territory of the Balakahari, a lion, 

 Hiking advantage of the stormy night, suddenly sprang upon two 

 rr.en, Hendrick, the driver, and Ruyter, the Bosjesman tracker, 

 who were wrapped in the same blanket, by the fire. It seized 

 Hendrick by the neck, and dragged him into 'he bushes, in spite 

 of the blows which another man gave it with » burning brand, 

 leaving Euyter unhurt except by a few scratch i with its claws. 

 Next morning it was shot by Mr. Gumming, wh, placed its skin 

 in his magnificent collection, where Ruyter points it out with great 

 glee. 



The Tiger is in length about nine feet, its height four or 

 five, its tail of the same length, making, from the nose to the tip 

 of the tail, fourteen feet. ' The chief color of its body is orange 

 yellow. White prevails nearly over the face, throat, and belly; 

 and the whole is traversed or crossed by numerous long black 

 stripes. This animal is a native of India, being found in China, 

 Chinese Tartary, but chiefly in the hot climates of India, and the 

 Indian Islands. It has a preference for hilly and woody districts 

 and it lurks in jungles and thickets, from which it rushes with 

 dreadful impetuosity, attacking flocks and herds, by no means 

 terrified at the sight of man, and even engaging with the lion in 

 puch fierce encounters that the combatants -have been found to fall 

 together. Its thirst for blood is extraordinary and appalling. The 

 •■•^er plunges his head into the body of his victim, and continues 

 to suck the blood until the sources are exhausted. His strength 

 is so prodigious that it is said he can drag along a dead buflFalo. 

 The roar of the tiger is tremendous. It is at first deep, slow, and 

 melancholy ; then it becomes more acute, and finishes in a dreadful 

 cry. When robbed of her young, the rage of the tigress knows 

 no bounds ; no danger can terrify it, and shejnll pursue the plun- 

 derers to the sea-shore or the gate of the city. When she finds 

 Ler ofi'spring irrecoverably lost, she expresses her grief and indig- 

 nation by the most fearful bowlings. 



The chase of the Tiger is among the most exciting «nd 



