114 THE LION. 



doubtful. We did not previously believe that any of 

 the Felinae could have been so far tampered with. 



A fear or regard for the master or keeper is al- 

 ways manifested, and there are many instances, after 

 long absence, of marked pleasure being shewn at 

 again meeting. In an anecdote related by Major Ha- 

 milton Smith, great deference at least was shewn. 

 " A keeper of wild beasts at New York, had pro- 

 vided himself, on the approach of winter, with a fur 

 cap. The novelty of this costume attracted the no- 

 tice of the lion, which, making a sudden grapple, 

 tore the cap off his head, as he passed the cage ; 

 but, perceiving that the keeper was the person 

 whose head he had thus uncovered, he immediately 

 ]ay down." " The same animal once hearing some 

 noise under its cage, passed its paw through the bar, 

 and actually hauled up the keeper, who was clean- 

 ing beneath ; but as soon as he had perceived that 

 he had thus ill used his master, he instantly lay 

 down upon his back, in an attitude of complete sub- 

 mission." * 



The temper of the female seems even generally 

 milder than that of the male, previous to her having 

 young ; but, says Mr Bennet, " from the moment 

 she becomes a mother, the native ferocity of her dis- 

 position is renovated as it were with tenfold vigour, 

 and woe to the wretched intruder, whether man or 

 beast, who should unwarily at such a time ap- 

 proach her sanctuary." A similar restless solicitude, 

 * Griffith's Cuvier, li. 431. 



