36 THE LION. 



Okovango," " I on one occasion dined off steak 

 au lion, and found it very palateable and juicy, not 

 unlike veal, and very white." 



In Northern* as in Southern Africa, lion's flesh 

 is eaten by the natives, though in the former rather 

 I believe as a charm. In Algeria, according to 

 Gerard, special value is set upon the heart of the 

 animal, which is chopped into small pieces, and 

 given to the children " to make them strong and 

 courageous."! " A lock of hair plucked from the 

 mane of the beast, and worn about the person, 

 is an amulet which will, it is believed, render the 

 wearer unconquerable in battle." 



But, after all, why should not the flesh of the 

 lion be both eatable and nutritious ? Mr. Charles 

 Darwin writes me that that of the puma, which he 

 once partook of, is very palateable, whence he infers 

 that the lion's may not be bad-tasted. Then again Mr. 

 Lloyd, in his " Scandinavian Adventures," Vol. IT. 

 page 7, says : "The flesh of all the tiger tribe is, 

 in England, considered the worst of carrion ; but 



* "These Arabs," says Bruce, when speaking of a certain tribe 

 on the frontiers of Algiers and Tunis, " are immensely rich, paving 

 no tribute either to Tunis or Algiers. Tlie pretence for this ex- 

 emption is a very singular one. Uy the institution of their founder 

 they are obliged to live upon lions' flesh for their daily food, as far 

 as they can procure it ; with this they strictly comply, and in con- 

 sideration of the utility of this their vow, they are not taxed, like 

 other Arabs, with payments to the State. The consequence of this 

 life is, that they are excellent and well-armed horsemen, exceedingly 

 bold and undaunted hunters." 



f Hence possibly the old saw, " wine is composed of women's 

 tougues and lions' hearts, for if a man partakes of a few glasses of 

 the generous liquor he will talk forever, and if needs be, fight the 

 devil himself." 



