THE LION. cu, 
purchase so obtained, to bite into the nape of the neck, 
simultaneously wrenching the head round by grasping the nose 
with the claws of the left fore-paw. As one of the numerous 
evidences in support of this assertion as to how they kill their 
quarry, it may be mentioned that some years ago four Oxen 
out of a span were killed by Lions on the Botletli river in one 
night, every one of which on careful examination had its neck 
broken exactly in the manner described.” Although Mr. 
Selous states that many large animals, such as Oxen, when 
killed by Lions, undoubtedly have their necks dislocated, yet, in 
his-opinion, the method of attack is frequently very different 
from that described above. In such a case deep claw-marks 
will be found on the muzzle of the victim; and he believes 
that the animal is seized, while grazing, by the Lion, from the 
left side, the muzzle being struck by the left front paw of the 
ageressor, and the head of the Ox pulled beneath its body. 
The victim being at the same time firmly gripped on the 
shoulder by the right paw of the Lion, whose hind-feet rest on 
the ground, it at once plunges forward, with the result that it 
topples headlong over, and thus breaks its own neck. When 
several Lions combine to attack a large Buffalo or Ox, they 
kill it in a less artistic manner, biting and clawing it all over, 
Zebras, as well as Horses and Donkeys, according to the same 
intrepid hunter, are killed by being bitten either at the back 
of the neck immediately behind the ears, or in the throat ; 
whilst Giraffes are probably seized and bitten high up in the 
throat, whilst lying down. On the other hand, the late Sit 
Samuel Baker, whose experiences were derived from North 
Africa, held the opinion that Lions killed their victims by a 
crushing blow of the paw. From this somewhat conflicting 
evidence itis quite clear that the last word has not yet been 
said as to the manner in which the Lion kills its victims. It 
is, however, evident that the neck of the larger animals is 
