594 
THE ZOOLOGY OP SINGAPORE. 
The Zoology of Singapore as might be expected from its insular 
situation, is confined to but a few genera of quadrupeds; tigers 
unfortunately are amongst the most numerous, the loss of human 
life from the depredations of these animals amounts to fully 200 
persons per annum for the past three years; this is a frightful and 
almost incredible amount, but I have too much reason to believe 
that it is less than the real loss. A gentleman with whom I am 
acquainted took some pains to discover the truth and found that 
nearly 300 human beings had been carried off in one year, of whom 
only 7 had been reported at the Police ; great exertions are at 
present being made for the destruction of these animals, which is 
effected by pitfalls, and has been tolerably successful of late, five 
having been captured and brought into town within the past 
quarter. Not many years ago the existence of a Tiger on the island 
was firmly disbelieved, and they must have been very scarce 
indeed, for even the natives did not know of their existence. 
One may have been accidentally carried by the tide across the 
narrow strait which separates the island from the mainland, and its 
cry in the pairing season may have induced another to follow, 
finding abundance of food they have multiplied accordingly. This is 
a more rational mode of accounting for their being here, than to 
suppose that they chased their prey over, as it is contrary to 
the nature of the beast to follow in pursuit after the first attempt 
proves unsuccessful. We have none other ferae except a large and 
powerful wild Cat called Rimau Dalian (Malay) and the Viverra 
Musanga, or Musang (Malay), an occasional Otter is found and 
if Cuvier s arrangement be admitted, I may add several species 
of the Bat tribe, amongst them that most destructive one to all 
fruits, the Flying Fox or Pteropusj fortunately however they 
are as yet scarce, but at no distance from us, they are numerous 
beyond count, I have seen a flock of them whilst anchored in 
the Straits of Malacca, so large as to take several hours in passing.* 
Their flesh is eaten by the natives but no real Fox smells to my 
mind one half so rank as they do, methinks a Rat would be 
palatable food compared with them. Of Rats we have several 
species, all very plentiful. Wild Hogs are abundant which next 
to man form the chief food of the Tigers. We have the following 
species of the Deer tribe. The Cervus Heppelaplms or Rusa, 
(Malay) a large animal about the size of an Heifer 4 years old, 
the meat tastes very like indifferent Beef 3 the next in size but far 
colony is at present located in a man grove creek at the head of the estuary 
of the Johore. In the day they may seen asleep hanging in millions from the 
branches of the mangroves. At sun set they begin to stir, and presently they 
ascend into .ne air and wing their way to the southeast in one vast, uninterrupted 
cloud. They pass the whole night in the jungle and plantations devouring fruit, 
and as soon as dawn begins to appear they mount the air again, and return to 
their roosting place at the head of the estuary. Ed. 
