TIGERS, 



By some error, tlio representative of Majesty omitted to 

 invite the too sensitive editor of a local journal, wljicli over- 

 sight gavo rise to a succession of amusing articles, supposed 

 to be in f lisparagement of the new colony generally, and of 

 the Royal Navy in particular : some of these subsequently 

 found tkcir way into an English paper, and, I am told, 

 were alluded to in the House of Commons. Great mdeed 

 must have been the triumpli of my Utile friend. 



During our stay at Smeaporo,, the body of a laxge 

 tiger was brought in by some JIalays (a not unusual 

 occurrcneG)j to enable tbem to receive the reward given 

 by Government. The Malays stated that, when they 

 found this monster in a bole which had been dug to 

 catcli hira, they threw quick lime into his eyes ; and 

 the unfortunate beast, while suffering intense agony from 

 this cruel appliance, drowned himself in some water 

 which was at the bottom of the pit, though not more 

 than a foot deep. 



The annual loss of human life from tigers, chiefly 

 among the Cliinese settlers^ is perfectly fearful, averaging 

 no fewer than 360, or one per diem. Great exertions 

 are still making for the destruction of these animals^ 

 which is effected by pitfalls, cages baited with a dog, 

 geat^ monkey, or other restless animal, and by sundry 

 cunning contrivances, l^ot many years ago the existence 

 of a tiger in the island was disbchcved ; and they must 

 have been very scarce indeed, for even the natives did 

 not know of any. It is the opinion of Dr. Oxley (no mean 



