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THE LION. 



Of the character of the Lion, opinions the most opposite have been promulgated. 



Until later days the Lion was considered to be the very type of fiery courage and kingly 

 generosity, indomitable in conflict with the strong, but merciful in sparing the weak and 

 defenceless. Latterly, however, writers have passed to the opposite extreme, speaking of the 

 Lion as a cowardly sneaking animal, and have even gone so far as to declare him to be no more 

 formidable than a mastiff. It must be remarked that these opposite ideas have been put forth 

 by men of practical experience, who have been personally acquainted with the king of beasts 

 in his own domains. 



Making due allowance for the "personal error," as astronomers would term the difference 



SOOTH AFRICAN LJoN. Leo capentw. 



of idiosyncrasy in the narrators, we may safely conjecture that the truth lies somewhere 

 between the two extremes, and that the Lion is not always so fierce an animal as is said to be 

 the case by some, nor always so cowardly as it is said to be by others. 



Even the same individual may be at one time ferocious and truculent, attacking a party of 

 armed men, in spite of their fire-rampart, and carrying off one of their number from among 

 them ; or at another time it may be timid and cowardly, skulking out of sight if discovered, 

 and flying in terror before the shouts and cries of a few savages. 



Hunger seems to be the great cause of a Lion's defiance of danger ; and it but seldom 

 happens that a Lion which has had plenty to eat troubles itself to attack man or beast. 



There seems to be a considerable spice of indolence in the Lion, which indeed is the case 

 in most of the members of the cat tribe. It is capable of very great muscular efforts, and for 

 a time will exert the most wary vigilance. But as soon as the existing cause is removed, the 

 creature seems overcome with lethargy, and, seeking the cover of its lair, yields itself to repose. 



Even when aroused by the calls of hunger, the Lion will not take more trouble than is 



