THE SOUTH AFRICAN LION. 



51 



The best kuown of these species or varieties is the South African 

 Lion, of which so mauy aueedotes have beeu uarrated. 



The color of the Lion is a tawny yellow, lighter on the under parts of 

 the body, and darker above. The ears are blackish, and the tip of the 

 tail is decorated with a tuft of black hair. This tuft serves to distin- 

 guish the Liou from any other member of the Cat tribe. The male 

 Lion, when fully grown, is furnished with a thick and shaggy mane 

 of very long hair, which falls from the neck, shoulders, and part of 



The Lion {Leo barbarm). 



the throat and chin, varying in tint according to the age of the ani- 

 mal, and possibly according to the locality which it inhabits. The 

 Lioness possesses no mane, and even in the male Lion it is not prop- 

 erly developed until the animal has completed his third year. 



When fully grown, the male Lion measures some four feet in height 

 at the shoulder, and about eleven feet in total length. 



The Lioness is a smaller animal than her mate, and the difference 

 of size appears to be much greater than really is the case, because she 



