The ROYAL TIGER.
The obſervation of the inferiority of works of art, compared to the productions of Nature, is particularly applicable to the ſkin of the Tiger, the beauty and ſplendour of which ſurpaſſes that of moſt other quadrupeds; and what the Peacock is among birds, in the opinion of the Ancients, the Tiger is among beaſts. The colours which adorn the ſkin of the Tiger are, a bright yellow cheſnut on the back, legs, and about half way down the ſides, which are beautifully enlivened by black perpendicular ſtripes; the feet and tail are alſo marked with the ſame coloured ſtripes, but horizontal; the belly, cheſt, and cheeks are white, and alſo marked; is claſſed among the Cat Tribe.
Of Tigers there are ſeveral kinds of various ſizes, but which ſtill retain the ſame deſtructive qualities, and poſſeſs the ſame deſire for carnage. The one here ſhewn is the largeſt of the ſpecies, and is called the Royal, or Bengal Tiger; which, Mr. Buffon ſays, is the only one deſerving the name of a Tiger. "It is a terrible animal, and more to be dreaded than the Lion; its ferocity is comparable to nothing. Let us judge of its power by its ſtature; it generally ſtands four or five feet high, and is nine, ten, and even thirteen, or fourteen feet long, excluſive of the tail."
The one from which this drawing was made, as near as we could meaſure, was nine feet long, and about ſeven or eight feet from the rump to the noſe, and about four or four and a half feet high.
Tigers, though ſlender in their make, poſſeſs great ſtrength of body; the report of travellers in this particular, if not corroborated by numbers, could ſcarcely be credited. The Buffaloes of India are very large, yet a Tiger has been known to carry one on his back with ſuch alacrity, that his ſpeed was ſcarcely impeded; the weight of an inferior animal, or a man, will nothing obſtruct his flight.
The Tiger, like all of the Cat Tribe (the Lion excepted), ſeizes his prey by ſurpriſe; lying in ambuſh, they wait with ſilent patience for an opportunity to ſpring on the deſtined victim, which he will bound upon at the diſtance of twenty or more feet; and if he chance to miſs, does not perſevere openly in the attack, but in a cowardly manner ſkulks about, and ſeeks another opportunity for effecting that by ſurpriſe, which a daſtardly temper denies to his ſtrength; yet, when urged by neceſſity, the Tiger ſhews either great courage or deſpair: In combating the Lion, he defends himſelf valiantly, and frequently with victory. The Tiger, if undiſturbed, always firſt ſucks the blood of his prey, rooting his head even into the cavity of the body; happineſs appears at the higheſt when he drinks in the gore of the vanquiſhed.
The rapacity of this animal engages him ſometimes in conflict with the Crocodile, who, when the Tiger approaches the water to drink (which a conſtant thirst compels him frequently to), readily puts up his head in hopes of a prize; then the Tiger immediately ſtrikes his claws into the eyes of the Crocodile; this unwelcome ſalute is declined by ſinking in the water, the Tiger ſtill retaining his hold. Thus circumſtanced, the iſſue is doubtful, either combatant ſtriving not leſs for victory than for life; the agonizing pain of the one, and the irritated fury of the other, producing a conflict truly ſavage; in which death is often the portion of both.
Inſtances have been known of the ſlighteſt occurrence, or noiſe, repelling or diſappointing the attack of the Tiger. The Royal Tiger here ſhewn was ſcarcely known to the Ancients, and are rare in the Eaſt Indies, which may be conſidered as their native ſoil.
