THE ROYAL TIGER. 



ftripes or bands, which run in the fame direction as the ribs, from the back 

 down to the belly, and form a linking and elegant contrail with the yellow : 

 round each eye there is a white fpace fpotted with black, and a Uripe of the 

 fame colour extends along the cheeks, from the ear to the throat ; the legs are 

 yellow, with fome black flripes on them, the hair is beautifully glofly and 

 fmooth, and looks like very fine velvet. 



The Royal Tiger may be considered as one of the fcarceH of Quadrupeds, 

 and much lefs difFufed than the Lion : it is a native of the Earl Indies, where 

 it is only to be found in the warmerl regions. 



The Tiger is feldom heard to roar, with much violence, in a flate of 

 captivity ; but, when he ranges at large the tyrant of the forells, his cry is 

 horrible beyond defcription. It begins by intonations and reflections which 

 are at firll deep, melancholy, and flow ; thefe prefently become more acute, 

 when fuddenly collecting himfelf, he fends forth a violent cry, interrupted by 

 long tremulous founds, which make a diffracting imprerlion upon the mind. 

 The night is the time when his roarings are ufually heard, the horror of which 

 is increafed by the filence and darknefs, and his cries are repeated by the 

 echoes of the mountains. 



At the dreaded appearance of this cruel monfler, which always feems to 

 tremble with a favage joy at the fight of the animal whofe blood he is about 

 to drink, moll other creatures think only of flight, which is often unavailing : 

 if the Bear has not time to afcend a tree, he is dead : the Dog has fcarcely a 

 moment allowed him to utter the cry of defpair, he is inllantly feized and 

 torn in pieces : a large Bull is prefently overthrown, and dragged away with 

 eafe : the wild male Buffalo indeed will dart at his enemy, but if he is alone, 

 he foon falls a victim to his cruel antagonifl(A). 



" A peafant, in the Sundah Rajha's dominions, had a Buffalo fallen into a 

 quagmire, and while he went for afliflance, a large Tiger, with its fingle 

 ftrength, drew forth the animal, though the united force of many men was 

 infufficient for the purpofe. The firll object which prefented itfelf to the 

 people on their return to the place, was the Tiger, who had thrown the 



(a) D'Obfonville. 



