120 THE LION. 



back. About tbe commencement of tbe second 

 year, these markings begin to disappear. 



The length of a full-grown, dark-coloured African 

 lion, is sometimes above eight feet from the muzzle 

 to the root of the tail ; the height, at the shoulder, 

 nearly five. These, however, we believe, are rather 

 extraordinary dimensions, and above the average 

 size. F. Cuvier gives the length of a lion from Bar- 

 bary, reared in confinement, as only about six feet 

 four inches in length, exclusive of the tail, at the age 

 of six years, and in height, at the shoulder, only about 

 two feet nine inches. 



The lioness is considerably smaller than the lion, 

 and her form is much more slender and graceful ; 

 but the great distinction between the sexes is the ab- 

 sence of the ample mane, and the lengthened hair 

 which adorns the other parts of his body. In her 

 motions, the lioness displays more agility, and, in 

 the exercise of the various passions, seems much 

 more impetuous *. 



The Indian or Asiatic lion will next deserve our 



"'There is a very interesting specimen of a lion in the 

 Surrey Zoological Gardens, of which we have a beautiful 

 drawing by Mr Lear. It is an African lion, which had been 

 emasculated at a very early age. " This animal," says Mr 

 Warwick, " is generally taken for (what it very much re- 

 sembles) an uncommonly large lioness, it being totally de- 

 void of any mane. It was brought from Caffraria, and the 

 operation was performed when a few weeks old. It is much 

 larger than either the Barbary or Persian lion, and extreme- 

 ly docile. The organs of voice have been affected by the 

 change ; he has never been known to roar.'* 



