222 Messrs Cheek and Jones on the Anatomy of the Limi. 



provided with retractile claws. Nor is it requisite that we 

 should allude to the invariable similarity of the digestive organs, 

 nor to give any detailed account of the general resemblance in 

 the habits, and mode of life. Suffice it to say, that in all the great 

 fundamental characters of the organization, as well as in the prin- 

 cipal natural habits, all the species of this tribe are intimately alHed, 

 — size and colour being almost the only specific distinctions. 



There are, however, certain pecuHarities in these latter 

 characters, which may seem to require subgeneric division, if 

 that degree of strictness be desired which would only congregate 

 together, under one terra, any two or three species, which have 

 more points of resemblance with each other than with a fourth. 

 Thus, for instance, the leopard is more like the panther or ounce, 

 than the lynx ; and tliis latter more resembles the caracal and 

 serval, than the puma and the lion, — a circumstance which, 

 indeed, has suggested to some naturalists the propriety of esta- 

 blishing subdivisions.* And the purposes of utility would, 

 perhaps, receive no diminution, were the genus distinguished in 

 the systems, into the Cats of a uniform colour, the spotted, and 

 the striped, and those with short tails, and a tuft of hair on the 

 tips of the ears. No invariable distinction in such characters 

 can, however, be expected; and such an arrangement is only 

 reduced to a level with all others, when we find species which 

 unite the characters of both divisions, as, the ocelot and Cape 

 cat, which are striped above, and spotted below. 



The lion is distinguished from the other Cats, by the combined 

 characters of superior size, an uniform yellow colour, a mane in 

 the male, and a brush of hair at the end of the tail. The figure 

 of the head is also more square than that of the other species. 

 We proceed now to the description of the more remarkable parts 

 of the structure of this animal : 



The functions of relation offering the most interesting subjects 

 for observation, the organs with which they are connected, first 

 attract our attention ; and we shall collect from the descriptions 

 of travellers, the natural habits which have been observed in this 

 animal, and consider the structure in relation to them. 



The natural habits of the lion may be easily and brieflj'^ defined. 

 He is the " king of the beasts," in point of physical strength, 

 which, vulgarly allied to the notion of moral power and excel- 

 lence, has led to the erroneous impression, that he is also noble 

 and brave. The lion is cowardly and cunning ; but cruel only 

 when under the pressing influence of hunger. When his appetite 

 is allayed, he is indolent and sluggish ; and the strong excitement 

 of hunger is necessary to arouse him to exertion. Living animals 



tribe. It was evident, from the appearance of the foot, that external injury could not 

 have been the cause of the peculiarity. ' 



It is possible that the examination of a single specimen, and that one of this ano- 

 malous kind, led the author of the Menageries to give as part of the " scientific 

 character'* of the genus Felis, " three toes on the hind feet, and four on the front." 

 See Lib. of Entertaining Knowledge, i. 216. 



* Dr Forster, iPhil Trans. 1781, p. 1.) Dumeril, {Zod, Analytiquey) &c. 



