TIGER. 
SOI 
The beauty of the tiger can only be conceived 
by those who have seen him at large in his native 
forests ; for its lustre is greatly diminished,, both in 
the specimens and live animals which arrive in this 
country. 
To this beauty of colouring is added an ex- 
tremely elegant form, much larger, indeed, than 
that of the leopard,, but more slender, more 
delicate,, and bespeaking the most extreme swift- 
ness and agility. Unhappily, however, this ani- 
mal’s disposition is as mischievous as its form is 
admirable, as if Providence was willing to show 
the small value of beauty, by bestowing it on the 
most noxious of quadrupeds. 
The chief and most observable distinction in 
the tiger, and in which it differs from all others 
of the mottled kind, is in the shape of its colours* 
which run in streaks or bands in the same direc- 
tion as his ribs, from the back down to the belly. 
The leopard, the panther, and the ounce, are all 
partly covered like this animal, but with this 
difference, that their colours are broken in spots 
all over the body ; whereas, in the tiger they 
stretch lengthwise, and there is scarce a round spot 
to be found on his skin. Besides this, there are 
other observable distinctions : the tiger is much 
larger, and often found bigger than even the lion 
himself ; it is much slenderer also in proportion 
to its size ; its legs shorter, and its neck and body 
longer. In short, of all other animals,' it most 
resembles the cat in shape ; and, if we conceive 
the latter magnified to a very great degree, we 
shall have a tolerable idea of the former. 
The tiger,” says M. Buffon “ seems to 
.partake of all the noxious qualities of the lion, 
without sharing any of his good ones. To 
pride, courage, and strength, the lion joins great- 
ness, clemency, and generosity ; but the tiger 
