HUNTING THE LION. 1 83 



fine night, attack him and kill. This is very easy to say ; but it seems 

 to be quite as easy to do, at least for French sportsmen ; for M. Chassaing 

 by this method killed fourteen lions in ninety-six hours, four of them 

 falling in one night. 



The African Lion, Felis leo, var. Barbarus (Plate VT), is a native of the 

 ranges of the Atlas. He is the type of the species, and the Cape Lion 

 and the Gambia Lion are merely varieties ; the 'ormer being remarkable 

 for his size and dark mane. One or other of these varieties is found 

 from Algiers to the Cape of Good Hope, and from Senegal to Abyssinia. 



As far as is known the Asiatic Lion, FcHs Ico, var. Pcrsicus (Plate 

 VI) is very similar in habits to that which inhabits Africa. One variety 

 only, the Maneless Lion, or Fclis ho, var. Goojraiciisis, deserves special 

 mention ; it derives its English name from the scanty nature of its mane. 



When first this animal was brought before the notice of naturalists, 

 it was supposed to be merely a young male, whose mane had not yet 

 reached its full development. It is now, however, allowed to be either 

 a distinct species, or a permanent variety. The mane is not altogether 

 absent, as the popular name might give cause to suppose, but is very 

 trifling in comparison with the luxuriant mass of hair which droops 

 over the shoulders of the African lion. The limbs do not appear to be 

 quite so long in proportion as those of the last-named animal, and the 

 tail is shorter, with a more conspicuous tuft. This tuft, by the way, 

 is the readiest point of distinction which separates the lion from the 

 other cats. 



We have selected two accounts of a single combat with a lion ; the 

 first is from the Cape of Good I lope, the actor a Dutch Boer. 



" The Boer had penetrated scarcely fifty yards into the bush when he 

 had reason to suspect that he was close upon the lair of the lion. After 

 remaining silent for several minutes, he saw an indistinctly outlined 

 object moving behind some large, broad-leaved plants. This was the 

 lion, whose head only was clearly visible. The lion was evidently 

 aware that some person had approached, but, after a careful inspection, 

 appeared to be satisfied and laid down behind the shrubs. The Dutch- 

 man cocked his rifle, and turned the muzzle slowly round to cover the 

 lion. But even this slight movement was perceived by the lion, who 

 rose to his feet. The Boer fired at a spot between the eyes; the-buUet 

 st uck high, but the lion fell over on its back, rising again immediately, 

 a d uttering a fierce roar. As he regained his feet, the Boer sent a 



