406 ANIMALS OF THE 



from that of another. What the ancients might 

 have said concerning black lions, or white, or 

 streaked like the tiger, is not confirmed by mo- 

 dern experience ; so that these varieties have 

 never been seen, or exist no longer. 



It is usually supposed that the lion is not pos- 

 sessed of the sense of smelling in such perfection 

 as most other animals. It is also observed, that 

 too strong a light greatly incommodes him. This 

 is more than probable from the formation of his 

 eyes, which, like those of the cat, seem fitted for 

 seeing best in the dark. For this reason he sel- 

 dom appears in open day, but ravages chiefly by 

 night ; and not only the lion, but all other ani- 

 mals of the cat kind, are kept off by the fires 

 which the inhabitants light to preserve their herds 

 and flocks : the brightness of the flame dazzles 

 their eyes, which are only fitted for seeing in the 

 dark ; and they are afraid to venture blindly into 

 those places which they know to be filled with 

 their enemies. " It is equally true of all this 

 kind, that they hunt rather by the sight than the 

 smell ; and it sometimes happens that the lion 

 pursues either the jackall or the wild dog while 

 they are hunting upon the scent, and when they 

 have run the beast down he comes in and mono- 

 polizes the spoil. From hence probably may have 

 arisen the story of the lion's provider : these little 

 industrious animals may often, it is true, provide 

 a feast for the lion, but they have hunted merely 

 for themselves, and he is an unwelcome intruder 

 upon the fruits of their toil." 



