CHAPTER XX 



The Lion and Other Beasts of Prey 



I^he Cat Family. — ^^There are interesting- animals which are 

 well known both in the wild and tame state and which we 

 speak of as Beasts of Prey, because they feed on living things, 

 which they are able to capture by their own great strength and cun- 

 ning. Another name for this group is Carnivora or Flesh Eaters. 

 Among these arc placed the animals belonging to the Cat Tribe, 

 which includes the lion, the leopard, and many others of lesser size. 

 Other families of the beast of prey including dogs, hyenas, and wolves, 

 will be considered in succeeding chapters. 



The Lion.— The most important member of this family from 

 Mr. Roosevelt's point of view, and indeed from that of all hunters in 

 African Wilds, is the lion. 



This much-sought beast is a native of Africa and Southwestern 

 Asia, but in both continents is being driven back by the advance of 

 civilization. The lion is distinguished from all other cats by the pre- 

 sence of a large, thick mane in the adult male. A full-grown animal 

 will measure rather more than eight feet from the nose to the end of 

 the tail, which counts for nearly half, and is furnished at the end with 

 a tuft of hair, in the center of which is a small horny prickle the use 

 of which is unknown. The lion certainly does not employ it, as was 

 once thought, to excite himself to fury by pricking his sides with it 

 when he lashes his tail. The lioness is smaller than her mate and 

 without a mane. She bears from two to four cubs at a litter, which 

 native hunters often steal to sell to the dealers in wild beasts who 

 supply the menageries, for the capture of a full-grown lion is rarely 

 effected. The sire and dam both w-atch over their young, and train 

 them to hunt prey. Thus young lions are more destructive than old 

 ones ; the former kill for the sake of killing, the latter only to satisfy 

 hunger and provide for their mates and her cubs. 



