V 
THE TIGER 
157 
cerning the power of a tiger in carrying away his 
prey, and I have heard it positively stated by 
persons who should have known better, that a tiger 
can carry off a native cow simply through the 
strength of the jaws and neck. This is ridiculous, 
as the height of the cow exceeds that of the tiger, 
therefore a portion of the body must drag upon 
the ground. The cattle of India are exceedingly 
small, and are generally lean, the weight of an 
ordinary cow would hardly exceed 350 or 400 lbs. ; 
as an average male tiger weighs about the same, it 
can of course drag its own weight by lifting the 
body partially in its mouth, and thus relieving the 
friction upon the ground. In this manner it is 
astonishing to see the strength exerted in pulling 
and lifting a dead bullock over projecting roots of 
trees, rocky torrent - beds, and obstructions that 
would appear to be insurmountable ; but it is absurd 
to suppose that a tiger can actually lift and carry 
a full-grown cow or bullock in its jaws without 
leaving a trace of the drag upon the surface. 
Many persons when in pursuit of tigers are 
accustomed to tie up a small buffalo of four or six 
months old for bait; the natives will naturally 
supply the poorest specimen of their herds, unless 
it is specially selected ; therefore it may be quite 
possible for a large male tiger to carry so small an 
animal without allowing any portion of the body 
(excepting the legs) to drag upon the ground. 
As a rule, the tiger will not attempt to carry, but it 
will lift and pull simultaneously if the body is heavy. 
