The Lioness. 



THE LIONESS AND CUBS. 



THE LIONESS is in all her dimensions about one-third 

 less than the male, and has no mane. She has gene- 

 rally from two to four cubs at a time, which are born 

 blind, like kittens, which they greatly resemble, though 

 they are as large as a pug-dog, when born. When quite 

 young they are striped and spotted, but these marks 

 soon disappear ; they also at first mew like a cat, and 

 do not begin to roar till they are about eighteen months 

 old. About the same time the mane begins to appear 

 on the males, and soon after the tuft of hair on the tail, 

 though the animal is generally five or six years before 

 it attains its full size. 



The Lioness, though naturally less strong, less cou- 

 rageous, and less mischievous than the Lion, becomes 

 terrible as soon as she has young ones to provide for. 

 The ferocity of her disposition then appears with ten- 

 fold vigour; and woe be to the wretched intruder, 



