THE LION. 117 



bly playful, but their strength soon unfits them for 

 playmates, and their natural dangerous propensities 

 become developed at an early period. We recol- 

 lect two (among the first which had been bred in 

 this country) in 1819 or 1820, belonging to Mr 

 Wombwell's Travelling Menagerie, which exhibited 

 all the playfulness of kittens ; but their propensities 

 were early displayed in the murder of a cardinal 

 grossbeak, which was dragged through the wires of 

 their cage and devoured, in the absence of Mrs 

 Wombwell, who had the charge of the nurslings. 

 Their size and strength increased rapidly, and in 

 riotous play the unintentional protrusion of their claws 

 produced sensations which taught that ere long they 

 would tear severely. 



From the above observations and anecdotes, which 

 have almost exceeded our limits, we may conclude 

 that the lion possesses the most certain and tractable, 

 and the mildest disposition among the Felinae, and 

 is the most susceptible of recollection and attach- 

 ment for those who have treated it with kindness ; 

 that, in general, it will not attack man unless at- 

 tacked, or under the influence of extreme hunger ; 

 and that its most favourite prey is various animals 

 among the Ruminantia, and some allied groups. 

 But, notwithstanding all that has been recorded of 

 its majesty, magnanimity, and gratitude, we cannot 

 divest it of a share of that uncertain temper, which 

 is a charcteristic feature in the disposition of the 

 Cats. 



