JV! AT URAL HISTORY. 29 



their teeth longer and sharper. Their claws, too, are neces- 

 sarily very long and sharp, and to prevent them from being 

 injured by coming into contact with the ground, they are con- 

 cealed, when not in use, in a sheath, which effectually guards 

 them and keeps them sharp. The tongue of the Felida3 is very 

 rough, as may be proved by feeling the tongue of a cat. This 

 roughness is occasioned by innumerable little hooks which 

 cover the tongue, and all point backwards. These are used 

 for the purpose of licking the flesh off the bones of their prey. 

 The bristles of the mouth, or whiskers, are each connected 

 with a large nerve, and are exceedingly useful in indicating 

 an obstacle when the animal prowls by night. Their eyes are 

 adapted for nocturnal vision by the dilating power of the pupil, 

 which expands so as to take in every ray of light fc 



THE LION. 



The LION stands at the head of the wild beasts. His noble 

 and dignified bearing, the terrific power compressed into his 

 comparatively small frame, and the deep majesty of his voice, 

 have gained for him the name of " king of beasts." The Lion 

 inhabits Africa and certain parts of Asia, such as portions of 

 Arabia and Persia, and some parts of India. It varies in 

 appearance according to the locality, but there is little doubt 

 that there is but one species. "We are indebted to Mr. Gumming 

 for many interesting notices of this noble animal, observed 

 during his residence in Southern Africa, and from his book 

 many extracts will be given in the course of this work, as by 

 his cool and daring courage he has been enabled to watch the 

 habits and actions of the most ferocious beasts in the depths 

 of their own haunts. 



The Lion is barely four feet high, and eight in length, yet 

 lie can, with little difficulty, dash the girafle to the earth, or 

 overcome the powerful buftalo. He has been known to carry 

 off a heifer in his mouth, and although encumbered with such 

 a burden, to leap a broad dyke, apparently with the greatest 

 ease. No animal willingly molests the Lion, and there are 

 but very few which he cannot overcome. The rhinoceros and 

 elephant are almost the only quadrupeds he dare not meddle 



