108 THE LION. 



sive heat appears essential to the perfection of its size, strength, 

 and courage. The hottest regions of Asia and Africa seem to 

 be its native soil. In the scorched plains of the torrid zone, in 

 the immense deserts of Zaara and Biledulgerid, and in the other 

 interior parts of Africa, lions are the most numerous, as well as 

 the most formidable. In those desolate regions this animal reigns 

 sole master. As a proof of the congeniality of intense heat to 

 this animal's nature, it is sufficient to observe, that in the same 

 latitude the lions which inhabit the mountainous parts where the 

 air is cooler, have neither the strength nor the courage of those 

 which are found in the plains ; and those which are bred in tem- 

 perate climates, are not near so formidable as those which are 

 produced under the burning sun of Africa, where their fury is 

 tremendous, and their courage undaunted. The lion of the des- 

 ert is not intimidated by the presence of men, nor terrified even 

 by their numbers. A single lion has been known to attack a 

 whole caravan. Having never experienced the arts and com- 

 binations of man, they are under no apprehensions of his power. 



M. Buffon supposes that the species is reduced to the fiftieth 

 part of its former number. The Romans undoubtedly contribu- 

 ted very much to its diminution in the northern parts of Africa. 

 Mr. Shaw observes, that they carried more lions from Lybia to 

 Rome in one year for their public spectacles, than could now be 

 found in all that country. It is also remarked that in Turkey, 

 Persia, and India, lions are not so common as formerly. 



The interior of Africa is at this time the grand central resort 

 not only of this, but of all other ferocious animals, with the sole 

 exception of the tiger, which is a native of India, and the coun- 

 tries beyond the Ganges ; and, according to M. Rennel, and 

 other intelligent writers, maintains the exclusive possession of the 

 Sunderbunds of Bengal. 



Among the colonists at the Cape of Good Hope, hunting the 

 ion is a favourite diversion. In the day-time, and on the open 

 plain, twelve or fourteen dogs will master a huge lion. Although 

 the strength of this animal is so great, that one of them has heen 

 known to seize a heifer, carry it off with ease, and even when 

 holding it in his mouth, to leap over a ditch apparently without 

 any difficulty, yet it is not very fleet in running. In hunting, 

 therefore, the dogs soon come up with him : the lion, then, with 

 a kind of sullen disdain, turns about and waits the attack, shaking 

 his mane, and roaring with a short and broken growl. The dops 

 then rush on him on every side, and tear him to pieces. The 

 flesh of the lion is said to have a strong and disagreeable flavour, 

 but, however, it is frequently eaten by the negroes; and the 

 grease, which is of a penetrating nature, is of use for medical 

 purposes 



