286 NATURAL HISTORY. 



Both the ancients and the moderns allow that the 

 lion, when newly produced, is not above six or seven 

 inches long ; and if so, some years at least must elapse 

 before he can increase to eight or nine feet ; they like- 

 wise mention, that he is not in a condition to walk 

 till two months after he is brought forth ; but, with- 

 out giving entire credit to these assertions, we may 

 fairly conclude, that the lion, from the largeness of 

 his size, is at least three or four years, in growing, and 

 that, consequently, he must live seven times three or 

 four years, that is, about twenty-five years. 



It is usually supposed that the lion does not pos- 

 sess the sense of smelling in such perfection as most 

 other animals of prey. Too strong a light incom- 

 modes him. He seldom goes abroad in the middle of 

 the day. He commits all his ravages in the night. 

 When he sees a fire kindled near a herd or flock he 

 will not venture near it. Though his sight is bad, it 

 is not, however, so faulty as his smell ; and, unlike 

 the dog and the wolf, he rather hunts by the former 

 than by the latter. 



The lion, when hungry, boldly attacks all animals 

 that come in his way ; but, as he is very formidable, 

 and as they all seek to avoid him, he is often obliged 

 to skulk that he may take them by surprise. For 

 this purpose he crouches upon his belly, in some thick- 

 et, or among the long grass, which is found in many 

 parts of the forest. In this retreat he continues, with 

 patient expectation, until his prey comes within a pro- 

 per distance ; and he then springs after it with such 

 force, that he often seizes it at the first bound. If he 

 misses the effort, and in two or three re-iterated 

 springs cannot seize his prey, he continues motionless 

 for a time, seems to be verv sensible of his disappoint- 



