Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-05-25
The Tigers Of SingapOrc--Their
Appetite for Human Flesh.

We quote from Commodore Pcrry's en-
PERTAINING Expedition to Japan" the fol-
lowing page, relative to the information
gained by that commander during his stop
page at Singapore, at the end of the Malac-
ca Straits, on the subject of Malay tigers
merely remarking that it was in 1853, and
since that time the tigers have become much
more numerous and destructive than ever,
the evil reaching such an extent about eigh-
teen months since, that general and organ
lied action was taken to destroy as many as
possible of these pests, for the preservation
of the people,
'The native animals are generally the
same as those of the adjacent peninsula
from which many of them migrate. The
tigers especially entertain great partiality
for Singapore, and resort there in great num-
bers by swimming across the strait which
separates the main land from the Island
These are the genuine animals which have
no hesitation in pounciug upon u passing
traveller, or snatchingup and making meal
of any unfortunate Chinaman or native who
may happen to be in the jungle, busy in
tations, or otherwise occupied. 1t was
stated on the best of authority, that not a
day passes without the destruction of one
human being, at least, by those ferocious
beasts. The Commodore was at first Some-
what disposed to be incredulous of this state
ment, but as the acting governor and COM
mander Of the forces both confirmed it he
could no longer hesitate to accept it as truth.
He was told by them that so much of an
every day occurrence was this fatality, that
many Of the cases were not reported, in order
to avoid the trouble and expense of a cor
oncr' IS inquest which the laws require
Death by tiger, however, is verdict that
might be rendered daily were the legal
formalitics complied with.
st is said, and probably with truth, that
the tiger after he has once tasted Of human
flesh, becomes so fond Of it that he prefers
its favor to that of his ordinary vcnsion or
wild boar, and will make every effort to OBJ
tain supply of his favoritc food. 1t is this
intense longing for human flesh which makes
the tiger so very dangerous to the poor
Malay or Chinese who may be obliged to cx-
pose himself in the jungle and the forest
1t was said, too, that the animal showed
decided preference for a Chinaman.
"Nor do these stories Of the tiger seem
very wonderful when the fact is well cs-
tablshcd, that those savages who are ad-
dicted to cannibalism become passionately
fond oftheir horribly unnatural food. There
IS tribe OF NlalayS, called BattaS, who, like
their fellow Malay tigers, are said by Sir
Stamford Ratllcs to eat one another and to
prefer such food to any other. Nor are
they to be classed entirely among barbarans,
for these Battas can read and write, and have
codes oflaws of great antiquity; and yet,
according to the authority just named, not
less than from sixty to "A hundred Battas are
eaten annually, even during time of peace.
I'm addition to the tigers, there are deer
and wild boars found upon the Island, and
several varieties of smaller animals, the
monkey, the wild hog or peccary, the por-
cupine and the sloth. Birds abound, and
among them are some Of great beauty"