HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 187 



Tiger may derive its name, which, in the Armenian lan- 

 guage, fignifies an arrow ; to the flight of which this 

 creature may very properly be compared, in the quick- 

 nefs and agility of its bounds. 



The ftrength of this animal is fo great, that, when it 

 has killed a Deer or other animal, it carries it off with 

 fuch eafe, that it feems no impediment to its flight. If 

 it be undifturbed, it plunges its head into the body of 

 the animal up to its very eyes, as if to fatiate itfelf with 

 blood. 



The Tiger is one of the few animals whofe ferocity 

 can never be wholly fubdued. Neither gentlenefs nor 

 conftraint has any effect in foftening its temper. It does 

 not feem fenfible of the attention of its keeper; and 

 would equally tear the hand that feeds, with that by 

 which it is chaftifed. 



A beautiful young male Tiger, lately brought over 

 from China in the Pitt Eafi-Indiaman, at the age of ten 

 months, was fo far domefucated, as to admit every kind 

 of familiarity from the people on board. It feemed to 

 be quite harmlefs, and was as playful as a kitten. It 

 frequently flept with the failors in their hammocks ; and 

 would fuffer two or three of them to repofe their heads 

 upon its back, as upon a pillow, whilft it lay ftretched 

 out upon the deck. In return for this, it would, howe- 

 ver, now and then fteal their meat. Having one day 

 taken a piece of beef from the carpenter, he followed 

 the animal, took the meat out of its mouth, and beat it 

 feverely for the theft ; which punifhment it fuffered with 

 all the patience of a dog. It would frequently run out 

 on the bowfprit ; climb about the {hip, like a Cat ; and 

 perform a number of tricks, with an agility that was 

 truly aftonifiiing. There was a Dog on board the fhip, 



