THE LION. 67 



hole in the ground, and covering it slightly over with 

 sticks and earth, which instantly gives way to the lion's 

 tread, and he is unexpectedly hurled into a deep abyss. 



The lioness # , though naturally less strong, less cou- 

 rageous, and less mischievous than the lion, is no less 

 to be dreaded when she is possessed of young; for as 

 her maternal sensations are ardent to an excess, she 

 commits every kind of depredation to supply her cubs 

 with food, and brings it home, reeking, to their den. 



The lion, as was observed, is an inhabitant of the 

 Torrid Zone, and is always found to be more formidable 

 there ; yet he is capable of subsisting in more temperate 

 climates; and there was a time when even the southern 

 parts of Europe was infested by them ; at present he is 

 only found in Africa and the East Indies, in some of 

 which countries he grows to an enormous height. The 

 lion of Bildulgerid is said to be nearly five feet high, 

 and between nine and ten from the tip of the nose to 

 the insertion of the tail : the ordinary height, however, 

 is between three and four feet ; the lioness is not so 

 large, and is destitute of that striking ornament, the 

 mane. 



THE TIGER. 



If a beautiful form could compensate for a depraved 

 disposition, the tiger would obtain pre-eminence over 

 the animal race. Unfortunately, however, this crea- 

 ture's propensities are all of so vicious and malignant 

 a kind, that though we may admire its external cover- 



* The lioness goes five months with young, and never brings forth 

 more than two at a time. Naturalists vary in their opinion as to the 

 length of the lion's life ; but one was kept in the Tower upwards of se» 

 venty years. 



F2 



