AFRICAN LION, 



plain and give cliase to his prey, for he is by no means swift of foot, and, as has 

 ah-eady been mentioned, has no idea of mnning into danger without adequate 

 cause. He can make tremendous leaps, and with a single blow from his terrible 

 paw can crush any of the smaller animals. So he creeps towards his intended 

 prey, availing himself of eveiy bush and tree as a cover, always taking care to 

 advance against the wind, so that the pungent feline odour should give no alarm, 

 and when he has arrived within the limits of his spring, leaps on the devoted 

 animal and strikes it to the ground. 



This mode of action gives a clue to the object of the fear-instilling roar which 

 has made the Lion so famous. 



As the Lion obtains his prey by stealth, and depends for nutrition on the 

 success of his hunting, it seems strange that his voice should be of such a nature 

 as to inspire with terror the heart of every animal which hears its reverberating 

 thunders. Yet it will be seen, that the creature could tind no aid so useful as 

 that of his voice. 



If the Lion has been proAvling about during the evening hours, and has found 

 no prey, he places his mouth close to the earth, and utters a terrific roar, which 

 rolls along the ground on all sides, and frightens every animal which may chance 

 to be crouching near. Not knowing from Avhat direction the fearful sound has 

 come, they leave their lairs, and rush frantically about, distracted with terror and 

 bewildered with the sudden arousing from sleep. In their heedless career, one or 

 two will probably pass within a con\cnient distance of the lurking foe. 



As to the supposed habit of restricting itself to prey which it has itself killed, 

 it is the constant practice of those who hunt the Lion, to shoot an antelope or 

 some such anima , and leave it near a Avater spring, knowing well that the Lion 

 Avill come and gorge itself with the food, that has cost him so little 

 trouble. 



MANELESS LION OE GUZERA1\— Z^o Goojralieims. 



Sometimes the Lion takes to killing mankind, and becomes the terror of the 

 villages, among which he prowls nightly and often by day, ever ready to pounce 

 upon any unfortunate inhabitant that may pass near his lurking place. 



It is supposed by those who have had much experience of the leonine 

 character, that the terril3le " man-eating " Lions owe their propensity for human 

 flesh to the indolence of their character or the infirmity of their frame, and not to 

 their superior activity and courage. Unwilling, or unable, to expend strength 



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