ANIMAL FIGHTERS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2050, 11 January 1901, Page 6

ANIMAL FIGHTERS.

Supposing all the animals in the “ Zoo,” at Regent’s Park, London, were to begin a fight to the death, who would be the ultimate victor? A well-known animal 1 dealervotes for the elephant, which he calls the J. L. Sullivan of beasts. His trunk is his weapon, and he is the hardest hitter with it of all the animals. Furthermore, he gores with his mighty tusks, and tramples beneath his huge feet his daring adversary. In a fight between a tiger and an elephant the latter has trunk, tusks, and feet in play, while “ Stripes ” relies for offence and defence on his powerful claws and teeth. A sporting writer would call the tiger a

WHIRLWIND FIGHTER. He is very' light on his feet, and bis impetuous rush rreeds clever withstanding. With bis heavy paw his favorite stroke is a lightning downward punch. With all his cleverness he soon tires if he meets a tough adversary. The sante remarks apply to the lion's style of fighting, though Leo has generally more grit than friend Stripes, and will last longer iir a conflict. Still, in a lion-and-tiger light one would hardly back Leo, fo>- he is generally several stones lighter than the GENTLEMAN FROM BENGAL. And it is generally admitted among students of the fistic art that “ a good brg one is better than a good little one.” What Mr Gilbert calls “an interesting Eastern potentate” often has lion pitted against, tiger in the wild-beast fights with which he beguiles his leisure, and almost invariably is the King of Beasts subjected to an ignominious.knock-out. The specialty of the giraffe is his enormous reach. He can deliver a nasty punch with his forelegs, and is not above biting his opponent when opportunity offers. Another long-range fighter is the deer, who is also very swift in his movements. Besides the quick punch with the forefoot, beware of the sharp horns when you take on Brer Deer. The buffalo, though his pet weapon is Ms great ironclad head, is also good at a long, swinging blow with the forefoot. The grizzly bear is a formidable foe. He can punch like no animal save the elephant—one blow of his stupendous paw will break a horse’s back—and when he clinches tc avoid punishment his hug will crush anything living. Besides this, nothing can break his pluck. He will fight as long as he can see or stand, and he is a glutton for punishment. None of the cat tribe could stand a tenth of the pounding which the grizzly takes without turning a hair. As an offset Jo the useful qualities I have enumerated, the bear is slow on his feet, and his eye is not good. The snake is about the cruellest of fighters. He has not the advantage of legs, but he is armed with the deadliest poison, and once he has wound himself round his adversary's body one swift movement of the head enables him to bite bis victim. THE KANGAROO.

The trickiest fighter is our colonial friend, L T ncle Kangaroo. He bites Avhen be can, and his poAA r erful bind legs and tail are useful for dodging. The opponent Avho gets one of his forefoot Hoavs seldom requires another, and a, straight kick from him Ayill rip a horse or another large animal Avide open. He is also fond of hugging, and Avhen pursued by dogs Avill take the faithful friend of man to his bosom in a fervent embrace that is generally fatal. Thus, though each of the beasts has his oavu specialties in the Avay of fighting, Are have to come to the conclusion that either the elephant or the bear Avould wear the belt in a general fight among the happy family of Regent’s Park.—London ‘ Express.’