THE STRUGGLE. 



HE jungles of Asia, like the forests of tropical America, afford refuge to 



innumerable varieties of animal and insect life; while their swamps and rivers 



are tenanted by different kinds of hideous reptiles, which concealed by the 



waters, or by the overhanging foliage of the banks, patiently lie in wait for the approach 



of any creature, which, unsuspecting the vicinity of dangerous foes, comes to quench 



its thirst in the cooling stream. 



Among the Ferae, or wild beasts of the Cat tribe, inhabiting these regions 

 the most powerful and dangerous is unquestionably the Tiger, the near relative of the 

 Jaguar of South America. Like this last, he also is possessed of a lovely skin, com- 

 bining rich colours of most opposite hues, but constituting an attractive robe of elegant 

 design. His character, however, is unfortunately not equal to his appearance, for 

 like all the species of this family he is crafty, cruel, treacherous and ferocious ; and 

 when impelled by the pangs of hunger, or desire of revenge, no animal that exists 

 is more terrible in his attack, or is less likely to be successfully resisted. When 

 enraged, even the gigantic elephant is not feared, but is sprung upon with as little 

 hesitation as if it was an ox or antelope, although, in such an encounter, the tiger 

 frequently gets worsted ; for, if not transfixed by the great tusks, he is generally 

 seized by the elephant's trunk to be hurled under foot and trampled to death, the 

 tiger's sharp teeth and claws being of little avail against the tough, thick hide of its 

 huge adversary. 



