The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-09 00:00:00

WILD BEASTS IN INDIA.

Everybody is aware that wild beasts abound in
the jungl3s of the Punjab, but we suspect very few
people entertain the remotest idea of the frightful
number of human creatures, especially children,
that are destroyed year after year by these animals.
In the two past years no less than 999 children
were killed, principally by wolves, as will be seen
by the subjoined abstract :-1859—Killed, 6 men,
1 woman, and 467 children-474; injured, 33 men,
3 women, and 83 children-119 ; total, 593. 1860
—Killed, 9 men, 4 women, and 432 children-445;
injured, 24 men and 31 children-55; total, 500.
The greatest destruction of life occurs in the Um-
ritsir division, where 347 children were killed dur-
ing 1859, and 299 in 1860. In the Goejranwalla
district 77 and in Umballa district 18 children were
killed in 1859, and 23 and 70 respectively last
year. These figures are perfectly astounding, and
lead to the suspicion that this exceeding great
slaughter is not altogether due to the animals
to whom it is ascribed, notwithstanding the Com-
missioner of Umritsir, in reporting the slaughter
by wild beasts of 160 male and 181. female infants
in his division, 843 rs—" It is satisfactory that none
of the children are of the race notoriously addicted
to infanticide." The number of wild animals de-
stroyed is not so considerable as one would expect,
seeing that Government has paid in two 3 ears
14;386 rupees as rewards for the destruction of 4,255,
which includes a large proportion of cubs. The
total number of each description of animal killed
stands thus :—ln 1859—tigers, 12 ; leopards, 192 ;
bears, 187 ; wolves, 1,174 ; and hyenas, 2—total,
1,567. In 1860—tigers, 35 ; leopards, 163 ; bears,
350 ; wolves, 2,083 ; and hyenas, 30—total, 2,658.
The wolves, we understand, do the greatest mis-
chief. In the Lahore district 132 of them were
slain last year, and no person hurt ; while in
Sealkote only 28 were destroyed, notwithstanding
135 children were killed in the district. Similar
results are exhibited elsewhere, as for instance
the comparison between the wolves and children
in the Hissar division is as one child killed to
82 wolves. In the Cis-Sutlej States and the
Umritsir division the average is two children
to about three wolves. Trans-Stitlej, one
-child to three wolves. Lahore and Ferozepore 232
wolves, no children. Goojranwalla in the same
division Ito 4, that is 101 wolves, 23 children. In
Mooltan division 622 wolves were destroyed and
only one child, all of which clearly indicates that
where the beasts are systematically hunted down
the destruction to human life is least. The greatest
number of tigers were killed last year at Umballa,
namely, 13; and at Kangra the most leopards, 80.
Bears are also found principally at Kangra, as out
of 350 killed throughout the Punjab 306 fell in this
district. Wolves abound everywhere apparently-,
though judging from the number killed they should
be scarcest at Peshawur. The wolf is probably the
most cruel but most cowardly animal in existence,
and a blundering stupid beast, devoid of the cunning
which many wild animals display. He does not
sneak up to his prey like the tiger or fox, and at-
tempt to conceal' himself up to the moment of his
spring, but advances in the open, at a deliberate
pace, until he arrives close to the object he has in
view, when, if he experiences the least resistance, a
blow on the head for instance, or a thump from a~
man's fist, he will immediately show his teeth and
snarl, but at the same time turn tail and be off
without inflicting injury.—Lahore Chronicle.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

NEWARK-MAY 8.

A limited supply of Wheat at market, the trade in which
was heavy, but lain rates were realised. Oats rather
scarce, and met a fair sale. Barley in small supply, but
firm, at late rates. Beans were at extreme prices, with a
healthy demand. Peas steady.
White wheat, new, 65s to 70s Barley, grinding.. 30s to 33s
Red do. 6os to 65s Oats, old, .. 29s to 32.
Old white 6ss to 70s New do 249 to 30s
Red do. sos to 60s / Beans. 67s to 60s
Barley, malting 38s to 44s 1 Beans, new 44s to 48s
Pea5,....40s to 60s.