NATURAL HISTORY. 31 



three, or four more regularly taking up their parts like persons 

 singing a catch." 



" As a general rule lions roar during the night, their sigh- 

 in<>- moans commencing as the shades of evening envelope 

 the forest, and continuing at intervals throughout the night. 

 In distant and secluded regions, however, I have constantly 

 heard them roaring loudly as late as nine and ten o'clock on 

 a bright sunny morning. In hazy and rainy weather they 

 are to be heard at every hour in the day, but their roar is sub- 

 dued." 



The opinion that lions will not touch a dead animal is 

 erroneous ; as they were frequently shot by Mr. Gumming 

 while devouring gnoos, &c., that had fallen by his rifle. 

 Those lions who have once tasted human flesh are generally 

 the most to be dreaded, as they will even venture to spring 

 in among a company of men, and seize their victim. These 

 lions are called Man-eaters. During the latter part of Cum- 

 ming's residence in South Africa a dreadful instance of their 

 ferocity occurred. While the hunting party was encamped 

 for the night in the territory of the Balakahari, a lion, taking 

 advantage of the stormy night, suddenly sprang upon two 

 men, Hendrick, the driver, and Ruyter, the Bosjesman tracker, 

 who were wrapped in the same blanket, by the fire. It seized 

 Hendrick by the neck, and dragged him into the bushes, in 

 spite of the blows which another man gave it with a burning 

 brand, leaving Ruyter unhurt except by a few scratches with 

 its claws. Next morning it was shot by Mr. Gumming, who 

 placed its skin in his magnificent collection, where Ruyter 

 points it out with great glee. 



The Lioness is much smaller than the Lion, and is destitute 

 of the magnificent mane which is so great an ornament to her 

 mate. As a general rule she is more fierce and active than 

 the male, especially before she has had cubs, or while she is 

 suckling them. She has usually from two to four cubs at a 

 time. They are beautiful playful little things, and are slightly 

 striped. They have no mane until about two years old.^ 

 While her cubs are small the Lioness knows no fear, and will 

 attack a company of men or a herd of oxen if they come too 



* Some years since, one of the keepers at Wombwell's placed a pair of lion cubs 

 in my arms. They were rather larger than cats, and almost unpleasantly playful. 



