134 Wild Beasts 



and as they change so will he change also. The same is 

 true with respect to alterations in physical conditions. 



Lions vary with sex ; the lioness is usually less grave and 

 inert, but quicker, more excitable, savage and enterprising 

 than her mate. Once when Gerard was lying in wait by a 

 dead horse a lioness arrived with her cub, but pretended not 

 to see the hunter. She instantly pounced on her unsuspect- 

 ing whelp, drove it out of harm's way, then made a detour, 

 and stole silently back to kill him. This means maternal so- 

 licitude to the extent of temporary self-forgetfulness, pres- 

 ence of mind, rapid comprehension of the circumstances 

 involved in an unexpected and unusual situation, determined 

 purpose, and courage. Tigers constantly make false charges 

 with the design of intimidating their foes ; lions perhaps re- 

 sort to this ruse less frequently, but they adopt other means 

 to the same end. Much of their awe-inspiring appearance is 

 due to causes acting independently of will ; still, they delib- 

 erately attempt to excite terror. One night while Green 

 and his friend Bonfield occupied a screen near a watering- 

 •place, a lion passed and repassed, inspecting them closely. 

 He wished the intruders away, but thought it imprudent 

 to attack their position, and they objected to fire because 

 the noise would frighten away elephants for which they 

 were waiting. Then the lion walked off a little distance, 

 lay down facing them, and reflected on the situation. 

 Shortly he sprang up and began to cut extraordinary 

 capers, at the same time setting up "the most hideous 

 noise, neither a roar nor a growl, but something between 

 the two." 



The beast was trying to frighten off these unwelcome 



