HISTORY OF THE LION. O 



period, and they are distinctly clouded or brindled with 

 deep brown, and have a line of the same dark color run- 

 ning along the centre of the back, which begin to disappear 

 about the commencement of the second year. 



The length of a full-grown, dark-colored, African lion, is 

 oftentimes from eight to nine feet ; and the height at the 

 shoulder nearly five. This, however, is rather above the 

 average size. The lioness is considerably smaller than 

 the lion, and her form more slender and graceful ; but the 

 great distinction between the sexes, is the absence of the 

 ample mane, and the lengthened hair which adorns the 

 other parts of her body. In her motions, the lioness dis- 

 plays more agility, and in the exercise of the various 

 passions, seems much more impetuous. The breeding 

 places of the lioness, in a wild state, are generally selected 

 with great care in some deep cover, and all around so 

 closely watched, that a transgression of the prescribed 

 boundary would speedily call forth an attack. " Previous 

 to her having young ; but more especially from the moment 

 she becomes a mother, the native ferocity of her disposition 

 is renovated, as it were, with tenfold vigor ; and wo to the 

 wretched intruder, whether man or beast, who should 

 unwarily at such a time approach her sanctuary." 



A similar restless solicitude, but much less fierceness, 

 was exhibited by a lioness, which had young in the 

 Parisian managerie, and although she allowed the keeper 

 to enter her den and administer to her wants, a nearer 

 approach or interference with the cubs would have been 

 dangerous. When disturbed by visitors, she displayed the 

 greatest anxiety, and would carry her cubs round the cage 

 for an hour at a time, much agitated and apparently wish- 

 ful to conceal them. This anxiety begins . > diminish about 

 the fifth month. In India, where the character of the low 

 country is more that of a thick jungle than of an open plain, 

 he has more ample shade; but in the arid plains of Africa, 



