TIGER, a fierce wild Beast. It is mentioned but once in the Latin Text of Scripture. Job says, Tigris periit eò quòd non haberet prædam. But the Hebrew Word Job. iv. 11. Laish.Laish, which is here translated by Tiger, signifies rather an old Lion.1 ‘Tis true indeed, the Tyger is a kind of Lion; and, excepting the Spots with which the Tyger’s Skin is marked, as to every thing else these two Animals are very much alike.2 The Skin of the Tyger is variegated by long Stripes, whereas that of the Panther is spotted, or marked by round Spots. See Bochart, de Animalibus sacris, p. 1. l. 3. c. 8. p. 792.
This Animal has the Shape of a Cat, with Talons, but it is larger. Oppian says, that it is the most beautiful of all Quadrupeds, as the Peacock is the finest of all Birds. It is so nimble and active, that the Poets have fancied it to be conceived by the Wind. In Fable the Chariot of Bacchus is drawn by Tygers, to insinuate that Winetames the fiercest and most savage of Men. In the Mogul’s Court they exhibit Combats of Men against Tygers. Pietro, della Valle, p. 4.
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