134 THE LION, 
Of the magnificent and noble creatures called Lions, several species are reported to 
exist, although it is thought by many experienced judges that there is really but one 
species of Lion, which is modified into permanent varieties according to the country in 
which it lives. 
The best known of these species or varieties is the Sourn Arrican Lion, of whom 
so many anecdotes have been narrated. This noble animal is found in nearly all parts of 
Southern Africa, where the foot of civilized man has not stayed its wanderings. Before 
the tread of the white man, the Lion shrinks unwillingly, haunting each advanced post for 
a time, but driven surely and slowly backward as the human intellect gains opportunity 
for manifesting its supremacy over the lower animals. So entirely does man sweep the 
wild beasts from his presence, that even in the Cape colony, a living Lion is just as great 
a rarity as in England, and there are very few of the colonists who have ever beheld a 
living Lion except when pent in a cage. 
The colour of the Lion is a tawny yellow, lighter on the under parts of the body, and 
darker above. The ears are blackish, and the tip of the tail is decorated with a tuft of 
black hair. This tuft serves to distinguish the Lion from any other member of the cat 
tribe. The male Lion, when full grown, is furnished with a thick and shaggy mane of 
very long hair, which falls from the neck, shoulders, and part of the throat and chin, 
varying in tint according to the age of the animal, and possibly according to the locality 
which it inhabits. The Lioness possesses no mane, and even in the male Lion it is not 
properly developed until the animal has completed his third year. 
When fully grown, the male Lion measures some four feet in height at the shoulder, 
and about eleven feet in total length. These measurements are only applicable to the 
noble animals which have passed their lives in the free air of their native land, and have 
attained their majority with limbs unshackled and spirits unbroken. 
The Lioness is a smaller animal than her mate, and the difference of size appears to be 
much greater than really is the case, because she is devoid of the thick mane which gives 
such grandeur and dignity to her spouse. Although smaller in size, she is quite as 
terrible in combat; and, indeed, the Lioness is ofttimes a foe much more to be dreaded 
than the Lion. When she has a little family to look after, Lezna is a truly fearful enemy 
to those who cross her path, assuming at once the offensive, and charging the intruders 
with a fierce courage that knows no fear and heeds no repulse. 
Of the character of the Lion, opinions the most opposite have been promulgated. 
Until later days the Lion was considered to be the very type of fiery courage and 
kinely generosity, indomitable in conflict with the strong, but merciful im sparing the 
weak and defenceless. Latterly, however, writers have passed to the opposite extreme, 
speaking of the Lion as a cowardly sneaking animal, and have even gone so far as to declare 
him to be no more formidable than a mastiff. It must be remarked that these opposite 
ideas have been put forth by men of practical experience, who have been personally 
acquainted with the king of beasts in his own domains. 
Making due allowance for the “personal error,’ as astronomers would term the 
difference of idiosynerasy in the narrators, we may safely conjecture that the truth lies 
somewhere between the two extremes, and that the Lion is not always so fierce an animal 
as is said to be the case by some, nor always so cowardly as it is said to be by others. 
Even the same individual may be at one time ferocious and truculent, attacking a party 
of armed men, in spite of their fire-rampart, and carrying off one of their number from 
among them; or at another time it may be timid and cowardly, skulking out of sight 
if discovered, and flying in terror before the shouts and cries of a few savages. 
Hunger seems to be the great cause of a Lion’s defiance of danger; and it but seldom 
happens that a Lion which has had plenty to eat troubles itself to attack man or beast. 
There seems to be a considerable spice of indolence in the Lion, which indeed is the case 
in most of the members of the cat tribe. It is capable of very great muscular efforts, and 
for a time will exert the most wary vigilance. But as soon as the existing cause is 
removed, the creature seems overcome with lethargy, and, seeking the cover of its lair, 
yields itself to repose. 
Even when aroused by the calls of hunger, the Lion will not take more trouble than is 
