292 



4NIMALS OF 



Another variety of this animal is called by us 

 the lion cat ; or, as others more properly term 

 it, the cut of Angora. These are larger than 

 the common cat, and even than the wild one. 

 Their hair is much longer, and hangs about 

 their head and neck, giving this creature the 

 appearance of a lion. Some of these are white, 

 and others of a dun colour. These come from 

 Syria and Persia, two countries which are 

 noted for giving a long soft hair to tin- animals 

 which are bred in them. The sheep, the goats, 

 the dogs, and the rabbits of Syria, are all re- 

 markable for the fine glossy length and softness 

 of their hair ; but particularly the cat, whose 

 nature seems to be so inflexible, conforms to 

 the nature of the climate and soil, loses its 

 savage colour, which it preserves almost in 

 every other part of the world, and assumes the 

 most beautiful appearance. There are some 

 other varieties in this animal, but rather in co- 

 lour than in form ; and, in general, it may be 

 remarked, that the cat, when carried into other 

 countries, alters but very little, still preserving 

 its natural manners, habits, and conformation." 



THE LION. 



THE influence of climate upon mankind is 

 very small ; a he is found to subsist in all parts 

 of the earth, as well under the frozen poles, as 

 beneath the torrid zone : but in animals, the 

 climate may be considered as congenial, and 

 a kind of second nature. They almost all 

 have their particular latitudes, beyond which 

 they are unable to subsist ; either perishing 

 with a moderate cold, or dying for want of a 

 frozen air, even in a temperate climate. The 

 rein-deer is never seen to depart from the icy 

 fields of the north ; and, on the contrary, the 

 lion degenerates, when taken from beneath 

 the line. The whole earth is the native coun- 

 try of man ; but all inferior animals have each 

 their own peculiar districts. 



Most terrestrial animals are found larger, 

 fiercer, and stronger, in the warm, than in the 

 cold or temperate climates. They are also 

 more courageous and enterprising ; all their 

 dispositions seeming to partake of the ardour 



a This description is principally taken from Mr. Buffon : 

 .such parts as are added from others, 1 have marked with 

 inverted commas. 



of their native soil. The lion, produced under 

 the burning sun of Africa, is, of all others, the 

 most terrible, the most undaunted. The wolf 

 or the dog, instead of attempting to rival him, 

 scarce deserve to attend his motions, or become 

 his providers. Such, however, of these ani- 

 mals, as are bred in a more temperate climate, 

 or towards the tops of cold and lofty moun- 

 tains, are far more gentle, or, to speak more 

 properly, far less dangerous than those bred in 

 the torrid valleys beneath. The lions of Mount 

 Atlas, the tops of which are covered in eternal 

 snows, have neither the strength nor the feroci- 

 ty of the lions of Bildulgerid or Zaara, where 

 the plains are covered with burning sands. It 

 is particularly in these frightful deserts, that 

 those enormous and terrible beasts are found, 

 that seem to be the scourge and the terror of the 

 neighbouring kingdoms. Happily, indeed, the 

 species is not very numerous ; and it seems 

 to be diminishing daily : for those who have 

 travelled through these countries, assure us, 

 that there are by no means so many there at 

 present, as were known formerly' ; and Mr. 

 Shaw observes, that the Romans carried fifty 

 times as many lions from Lybia, in one year, 

 to combat in their amphitheatres, as are to be 

 found in the whole country at this time. The 

 same remark is made with regard to Turkey, 

 to Persia, and the Indies ; where the lions are 

 found to diminish in their numbers every day. 

 Nor is it difficult to assign the cause of this 

 diminution: it is obvious that it cannot be 

 owing to the increase of the force of other 

 quadrupeds, since they are all inferior to the 

 lion, and, consequently, instead of lessening 

 the number, only tend to increase the supplies 

 on which they subsist ; it must, therefore, be 

 occasioned by the increase of mankind, who 

 is the only animal in nature capable of making 

 head against these tyrants of the forest, and 

 preventing their increase. The arms even of 

 a Hottentot or a Negro make them more than 

 a match for this powerful creature ; and tiny 

 seldom make the attack, without coming off 

 victorious. Their usual manner is to find out 

 his retreat, and with spears headed with iron, 

 ro provoke him to the combat: four men are 

 considered as sufficient for this encounter; 

 and he against whom the lion flies, receives 

 him upon his spear, while the others attack him 

 behind; the lion, finding himself wounded in 

 the rear, turns that way, and thus gives the 



