346 TIGER. 
the thickest bushes and trees, every thing giving 
way to his monstrous strength ; a Tigress accom- 
panied his progress. The united agonies of horror, 
regret, and fear, rushed at once upon us. I fired 
on the Tiger : he seemed agitated : my companion 
fired also, , and, in a few moments after this, our 
unfortunate friend came up to us, bathed in blood. 
Every medical assistance was vain, and he expired 
in the space of twenty-four hours, having received 
such deep wounds from the teeth and claws of the 
animal as rendered his recovery hopeless. A large 
fire, consisting of ten or twelve whole trees, was 
blazing by us at the time this accident took place; 
and ten or more of the natives with us. The hu- 
man mind can scarce form any idea of this scene 
of horror. We had hardly pushed our boat from 
that accursed shore, when the Tigress made her 
appearance, almost raging mad, and remained on 
the sand all the while we continued in sight." 
The Tiger is described by Pliny as an animal of 
tremendous swiftness: animal tremendce mlocita- 
tis. " This, however, is said to be not so applicable 
to the pace of the animal in running, as to the ve- 
locity of his spring when darting on his prey. 
There can be little doubt, however, that the Ti- 
ger is in reality an animal of great swiftness, and 
Mr. Pennant adduces the authorities of two faith- 
ful travellers, viz. Pere Gerbillon and Mr. Bell, 
in confirmation of Pliny's account. 
The Tiger has been known to attack even a 
Lion, and both animals have perished in the con- 
flict. The Tigress, like the Lioness, produces 
