T H E C A T K I N D. 69 



rare ; for the lion is in general undifputed lord of the forefl". Man only- 

 attacks him with fuccefs, by the affiftance of dogs and horfes trained to 

 the purfuit. Thefe animals, that naturally would have fled from the lion 

 in an agony, confclous of human aid, purfue in turn, and boldly hunt 

 their tyrant. The dogs are of the large breed; and the horfes, as Gef- 

 ner aflfures us, of that fort called charcjji, or lion-eyed i all others flying 

 the fight of a lion, and endeavouring to throw their riders. The lion, 

 when roufed, recedes flcwly, never goes off diredl, but fakes an oblique 

 courfe, going from fide to fide, and bounding radicr than running. He 

 is very vivacious, never killed at once, but fights defpcrately, even after 

 he has received his mortal blow. He is alfo taken by pit-falls. The 

 ufijal manner of taking this animal is while a cub ; the place near the 

 den of the lionefs is generally well known by the grearnefs of her depre- 

 dations on that cccafion. The natives watch th;; abfence of the lionefs, 

 and, aided by a fvvift horfe, carry off her cubs, which they fell to their 

 great men or to ftrangers. 



The lion feldom quits the forefl: while able to fubfifl; by his activity; 

 but when old, and unfit for furprife, he boldly comes down into places 

 more frequented ; attacks the flocks and herds, notwithftianding the ha- 

 bitation of their keeper, and depends on his courage for fupport. If he 

 finds men and quadrupeds in the fame field, he only attacks the latter, 

 unlefs the men provoke an engagement. He prefers the flefli of camels 

 and of young elephants, which he often attacks before their trunks are 

 grown. 



The lionefs brings forth in fpring; flie goes with young about five 

 months ; brings never more than two, about the fize of a large pug 

 dog, harmlefs, pretty, and playful ; they continue the teat twelve 

 months, and the animal is five years in coming to perfeflion. 



The great lion, called Pompey, which died in the year 1760, was 

 known to have been in the Tower above feventy years ; and another, 

 which was brought from the river Gambia, died aged about fixty-three. 



The lionefs, though lefs fl:rong, lefs courageous, and lefs mifchiev- 

 ous than the lion, becomes terrible when fhe has cubs. She then roams 

 with fearlefs intrepidity j throws herfelf indifcriminately among men and 

 anim.als ; deftroys without diftinflion ; and loads herfelf with fpoil, and 

 carries it reeking to her cubs, whom ftie accuft:oms betimes to (laughter. 

 She ufually brings forth in inaccefflble places; when flie fears a difcovery 

 of her retreat, often hides her tracks, by running back her ground, or 

 by brufliing them out with her tail; fometimes alfo tranfports them to 



N 2 another 



