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CHAPTER III. 



THE LION MONOGAMOUS HIS GALLANTltY TO HIS MATE LOVE AND 

 GALLANTRY AMONG LIONS THE LIONESS A JILT COMBATS OF 

 KIVAL SUITORS THE PAIRING SEASON PERIOD OF GESTATION 

 THE CUBS THEIR SIZE, APPEARANCE, AND COLOUR DISPARITY 

 IN THE NUMBER OF THE SEXES THE YOUNG LION'S APPRENTICE- 

 SHIP DEPRIVING THE LIONESS OF HER CUBS. 



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rpHE lion is monogamous, andbv all accounts most 



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1 faithful to his mate. " He never leaves her," says 

 GeYard, "unless from compulsion, and entertains for 

 her a most enduring affection. The lion and the 

 lioness usually hunt in company. From the moment 

 the pair leave their den until their return to it, it is 

 always the lioness who proceeds in advance, and 

 when it is her pleasure to halt, he halts also. Ar- 

 riving near the " douar " that is to furnish a supper, 

 the lioness crouches outside of the fence that pro- 

 tects it, while her mate bounds bravely over the im- 

 pediment into the midst of the fold, and after helping 

 himself to what he deems best, carries it to his 

 better half. lie regards her, whilst feeding, with 

 infinite pleasure, and keeps guard that no ill may 



