172 TTTE LION. 



according to Gerard, is not tin frequently taken 

 in the pit-fall, but then it is constructed specially 

 for the capture of that beast, " some being," as 

 he says, " as much as ten metres in depth, with a 

 diameter of four or five metres, and narrower 

 above than below." 



Various as are the means adopted by the natives 

 of Southern Africa to rid themselves of the lion, 

 they are still not unmindful of the old saw, " Pre- 

 vention is better than cure," and the Namaquas, 

 therefore, when encamping in a place known to be 

 frequented by those beasts, are in the habit of sprink- 

 ling the powder of a certain plant over the cattle 

 before turning them loose, believing that no harm 

 will then befall them. Absurd as the custom may 

 appear, is it nevertheless not impossible that the lion 

 may shun the odour of the powder in question, as 

 fleas are said to shun that of penny-royal ? 



