THE LION 371 



When a male lion has selected a female partner the union very generally lasts 

 for the greater portion or the entire lives of the pair. From the evidence of speci- 

 mens kept in captivity it is known that from two to six cubs may be produced at a 

 birth, at least in the captive condition. It is stated, however, that in India wild 

 lionesses do not produce more than two or three cubs at a birth ; and Mr. Selous is 

 of opinion that three is the usual number in South Africa, where many cubs appear 

 to die while still very young. Lions breed freely in captivity, but not so readily in 

 some menageries as in others. Thus, whereas in the London Zoological Gardens 

 the number of cubs bred and reared is comparatively small, in those at Dublin it is 

 very large ; and many of the lions exhibited in various menageries have been reared 

 at the latter establishment. It is a curious fact that lion cubs are born with their 

 eyes fully open. 



When caught young, lions are easily tamed, and the whole disposition of the 

 animal in captivity is much more gentle than is that of the tiger. 



That adult lions will combine to attack large animals that they would find it 

 difficult or impossible to overcome unaided, is now well ascertained. The best 

 known instance is one observed by Major Vardon and Mr. Oswell in vSouth Africa, 

 when three full-grown males united their efforts in endeavoring to pull down an old 

 buffalo. When first observed the four animals were engaged in a terrific combat, 

 the final issue of which might have been doubtful, had it not been terminated by 

 the sudden death of the buffalo from the effects of a bullet wound it had previously 

 received from the rifle of one of the witnesses. No sooner, however, did their prey 

 succumb, than the three lions commenced to quarrel among themselves ; one reared 

 to half its height, resting its paws upon the middle of the carcass, while the other 

 two respectively placed themselves at the head and tail, and growled forth defiance 

 at the one in the middle. What might have been the result of the dispute can only 

 be imagined, as two of the lions were shot, while the third, thinking discretion 

 the better part of valor, prudently retired. 



Another instance of a somewhat similar encounter is related by Sir Samuel 

 Baker, who states that a Bavarian hunter in his employ, named Johann Schmidt, 

 was on one occasion wandering along the bank of the Roy an river in Abyssinia, 

 when his attention was attracted by the sounds of a scuffle taking place at a 

 water-hole. " The dust was flying high in the air, and as he approached the spot, 

 within the yellow surface of the river's bed, he saw a cloud of sand, in the centre 

 of which was the large body and long neck of a bull giraffe struggling against the 

 attack of two lions. One of these was fastened upon its throat, while the other 

 was mounted upon its hind-quarters, where it was holding on with teeth and claws. 

 . . . The giraffe had no chance, and after a sharp struggle, before the well- 

 concealed spectator, it was pulled down, and both lions commenced to growl over 

 their contested prey." 



Although in both the foregoing instances the lions, after securing their prey, 

 commenced to quarrel among themselves, it does not appear that such quarrels 

 always occur in similar circumstances, since Gordon Gumming relates how he 

 once saw no less than six lions feeding peaceably upon the carcass of a rhi- 

 noceros. 



