Chap. XXIV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 215 



Amongst the Cape Colonists it is a fashionable 

 belief, that there are two distinct species of the 

 African lion — ^the yellow, and the black — and that 

 the one is infinitely less ferocious than the other. 

 But I need scarcely inform the well-instructed 

 reader, that both the colour and the size depend 

 chiefly upon the animal's age ; the development 

 of the physical powers, and of the mane also, being 

 principally influenced by a like contingency. That 

 which has been designated the " maneless lion of 

 Guzerat," is nothing more than a young lion 

 whose mane has not shot forth ; and I give this 

 opinion with less hesitation, having slain the " king 

 of beasts" in every stage from whelphood to im- 

 becility. 



