162 HISTORY OF 



the lion's provider ; when the reality is, that the 

 jackall hunts for itself, and the lion is an unwel- 

 come intruder upon the fruit of his toil. 



Nevertheless, with all the powers which carni- 

 vorous animals are possessed of, tkey generally 

 lead a life of famine and fatigue. Their prey has 

 such a variety of methods for escaping, that they 

 sometimes continue without food for a fortnight 

 together ; but nature has endowed them with a 

 degree of patience equal to the seventy of their 

 state ; so that, as their subsistence is precarious, 

 their appetites are complying. They usually seize 

 their prey with a roar, either of seeming delight, 

 or perhaps to terrify it from resistance. They 

 frequently devour it, bones and all, in the most 

 ravenous manner ; and then retire to their dens, 

 continuing inactive till the calls of hunger again 

 excite their courage and industry. But, as all 

 their methods of pursuit are counteracted by 

 the arts of evasion, they often continue to range 

 without success, supporting a state of famine for 

 several days, nay, sometimes, for weeks together. 

 Of their prey, some find protection in holes, in 

 which nature has directed them to bury them- 

 selves ; some find safety by swiftness ; and such 

 as are possessed of neither of these advantages, 

 generally herd together, and endeavour to repel 

 invasion by united force. The very sheep, which 

 to us seem so defenceless, are by no means so in 

 a state of nature ; they are furnished with arms 

 of defence, and a very great degree of swiftness. 

 But they are still further assisted by their spirit of 

 mutual defence : the females fall into the centre, 



