Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/159

 are all no doubt aware that a savant among tigers, the illustrious Megalopygos, inhabits these forests. This learned gentleman has kindly consented to read a paper to us to-night, taking as his subject, "The Natural History of Man"."

At mention of the word 'man', several of the younger tigers present felt a sensation of hunger, but seeing no preparations for a public banquet, put a tactful restraint on their instinctive desire to express their sentiments. The learned lecturer, at the president's invitation, arose with a courteous growl and, in a voice calculated to fill the wayfarer with terror, delivered the following discourse:—

"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Men, from one point of view, may be regarded as bipeds. They are, however, unprovided with feathers, and cannot therefore be called birds. On the other hand, they have many points in common with quadrupeds.