LION TIGER LEOPARD. 215 



The lion is distinguished from all the other species by 

 its almost uniform fawn color, by the tuft of hairs on the 

 end of its tail, and by the heavy mane that covers the 

 head and shoulders of the males. It anciently existed 

 over nearly all the Old World, but is now found only in 

 Africa and less abundantly in Asia. It sometimes at- 

 tains a length of eight or nine feet, and stands as high 

 as four and a half feet at the shoulder. 

 FIG. 142. 



LION (Felis leo). 



The tiger lives in India, and is recognized by its fur, 

 which is fawn-colored above, white beneath, and striped 

 vertically with black lines. It is more slender and some- 

 what smaller than the lion. The panther inhabits Asia 

 and Africa ; it is spotted with rows of black spots, joined 

 together in rosettes. It is probably identical with the 

 leopard, which is found in the same countries. One 

 variety is black. The jaguar, or American leopard, has 

 eye-like spots, more regularly arranged than those of the 

 leopard. It is found all over South America, and in 



