TIG TIG 
of it's colouring. It is larger than the leopard, 
though more flender and delicate. But the mif- 
chievous diipofition of this animal is as remark- 
able as it's form is beautiful; as if Providence 
intended to fliew us that beauty is of no eftima- 
tion, by beltowing it on the moft noxious of qua- 
drupeds. 
The Tiger is peculiar to Afia; and is found as 
far north as China and Chinefe Tartary: but the 
greateft numbers, the largeft, and the moft formi- 
dable of thefe creatures, are found in India and 
it's iflands. The principal diftintlion of the Ti- 
ger, in which it differs from other mottled ani- 
mals, confifts in the form of it's colours, which 
run in ftreaks, in the fame direftion as the ribs, 
from the back to the belly. On the leopard, the 
panther, and the ounce, the colours are broken in 
fpots all over the body ; but in the Tiger, they 
extend lengthwife; and hardly a round fpot is to 
be found on it'^ fkin. 
Of ^11 animals, the Tiger refembles the cat moft 
in fhape ; which, if obferved through a proper 
niagnifying-glafs, will convey a tolerable idea of 
the former. The Tiger is the only animal whofe 
fpiritfeems untameable: neither force nor flattery 
has the fmalleft effeft on it's ftubborn nature; and 
with equal malignity it fnaps at the hand that 
feeds it as that by which it is chaftifed. With 
an appearance feemingly mild and inoffenfive, 
without either ferocity or anger in it's counte- 
nance, it is fierce and favage beyond meafure: 
correftion cannot terrify it, nor indulgence tame 
it. The lion feldom ravages except when excited 
by hunger; but the Tiger is infatiable, and con- 
tinues the carnage even after being glutted with 
flaughtcr. When it difcovers a flock or herd, it 
gives no quarter; but levels all with indifcrimi- 
nate rapacity, fcarcely fparing time to appeafe the 
calls of hunger, fo intent is it on gratifying the 
malignity of it's nature. Animals of all kinds, 
whether wild or tame, fall a facrifice to it's fury; 
and it fometimes even ventures to attack the lion. 
Tigers are one of the moft terrible fcourges 
of the countries they inhabit. They lurk among 
buflnes on the fides of rivers; fome places they al- 
moft depopulate; and feem to prefer preying on 
the human race rather than any other animals. 
They do not purfue their prey, but bound on it 
from their ambufcades with great agility, and from 
a diftance almoft incredible. If they mifs their 
objefl, they inftantly retire ; but, when fuccefsful, 
carry it off with the greateft- eafe, even if as large 
as the bufl^alo: if not difturbed, they plunge their 
heads into the body of the animal up to the very 
eyes, as if through an eagernefs to fatiate them- 
felves with blood. 
There is a fort of cruelty in the devaftations of 
this creature, unknown to the generous lion ; as 
v/ell as a kind of cowardice in it's fudden retreat 
on any difappointment. We are informed on 
good authority, that, at the beginning of the prc- 
fent century, feveral ladies and gentlemen being 
on a party of pleafure, obferved under the lliade 
of fome trees on the banks of a river in Bengal, a 
Tiger preparing for it's fatal fpring: on which 
one of the ladies, with amazing prefence of mind, 
laid hold of an umbrella, and furled it full in the 
. animal's face ; whereupon it inftantly retreated, 
and gave the company an opportunity of v/Ith- 
drawing from the vicinity of fo dreadful an in- 
truder. 
Another party, we are told, had r^ot the fanne 
good fortune. A Tiger darted among them 
while at dinner, feized on one of the gentlemen, 
and carried him off ; and he was never more 
heard of. 
A popular notion prevails in fome parts of In- 
dia, that the rhinoceros and the Tiger live on 
amicable terms, from their being frequently feen 
near each other. But the truth is, the rhino- 
ceros, like the hog, loves to wallow in the mire, 
on which account he frecjuents the banks of ri- 
vers ; and the Tiger, in order to quench his rag- 
ing thirft, is always found in fituations contiguous 
to them. 
Fortunately for mankind, this anim.al is not 
very common, the fpecies being chiefly confined 
to the warmeft provinces of the Eaft. Some tra- 
vellers have compared the Tiger to the horfe, Vv-ich 
refpeft to fize ; and others to the buffalo. Buf- 
fon informs us, that he was affured by a friend, 
on whofe veracity he could rely, that he faw a 
Tiger in the Eaft Indies of the length of fifteen 
feet. He probably included the tail in thefe di- 
menfions: therefore, allowing four feet for that, 
the creature mufthave been eleven feet long from 
the tip of the nofe to the infertion of the tail. 
In order to give an adequate idea of the ftrcngtb 
of this animal, we ihall quote the fubftance of a 
paflage from Father Frenchard, who faw a com- 
bat between a Tiger and two elephants at Siam.. 
It was within a lofty palifade, about one hundred 
feet fquare. At firft three elephants were pro- 
duced, with their heads and part of their trunks 
covered with a kind of armour. A Tiger was 
then brought forth from his den, of a fize much 
larger than any he had ever feen. Fie was at firft: 
held with cords ; and one of the elephants ap- 
proaching, gave him feveral blows on tiie back 
with it's trunk, with fuch force, that the Tiger 
fell, and for fome time lay motionlefs: but, when 
fet at liberty, though the firft blows had greatly 
abated his fury, he made at the elephant v^'ith a 
loud fliriek, and aimed at leizinghis trunk. The 
elephant drew it up with great dexterity, received 
the Tiger on his great teeth, and threw him into 
the air. After this, he was difcouraged from 
again venturing to approach the elephant: inftead 
of which, he made feveral circuits round the pa- 
lifade, frequently attempting to fl.y at the fpefta- 
tors. At length, three elephants were fent againft 
him, Vv'ho ftruck him fo terribly with their trunks, 
that he once more lay as if dead ; and undoubt-^ 
edly would have been killed outright, had not the 
com.bat been fufpendcd. Hence we may form 
an opinion of the ftrength of this animal, which, 
under fuch great difadvantages, ventured to con- 
tinue the engagement againft fuch potent enemies, 
covered and protefted from his fury. 
Captain Hamilton informs, us that there are ia 
the Sundah Rajha's dominions no lefs than three 
forts of Tigers, the fmalleil of which are the 
fierceft. The finail ones are about two feet high, 
the fecond three feet, and the larger fort above 
three feet and a half. But the latter, tiiough pof- 
fefling fuperior powers, is lefs rapacious than ei- 
ther of the former. This formidable animal is 
called the Tiger-royal; one of which was lately lo 
be feen in the Tov.'er of l^ndon. 
We have no certain accounts as to the number 
of young which the Tigrcis brings forth; but it 
is generally faid that fiae produces four or iive at 
a time. Though furious at all times, her ferocity 
on this occafion is incredible. If robbed of her 
' young. 
