HOMEWAED BOUND 299 



greater degree than is usual in cubs, that the tawny 

 coloration of lions is a comparatively recent acquisi- 

 tion of the race, and that lions are descended from a 

 spotted or banded ancestor with much black on the 

 body. The usual black bands across the ears and the 

 black tuft on the tip of the tail are very conspicuous, 

 and the dark rings on the tail, not infrequent in young 

 lions, are more than usually well marked, especially to- 

 wards the tip. The longer hairs on the surface of the 

 back are very dark at their ends, so that there appears 

 to be a faint wash of black over the tawny coat. The 

 legs and under parts of the body are covered w^ith 

 thickly - set dark spots, which show traces of being 

 arranged in stripes on the flanks." 



Another point of interest is whether the cubs, who 

 come of a maneless parentage, will develop manes in 

 captivity. It is, I believe, popularly asserted that all 

 lions naturally have them, but that the hair gets 

 pulled out in bush country till they are as bald as 

 coots. In support of this theory it is said that there 

 has never yet been a maneless lion in captivity. Time 

 will show, and at no distant date, for the zakis in 

 question were born in November 1910. 



• •••••■ 



One word of explanation is due to the reader to 

 tell why I have written this book instead of my com- 

 panions, who, by their experience and wide African 

 knowledge, could have made it a book of special value. 

 Mr Talbot was already committed to produce a book 

 on the Ekoi tribe, amongst whom he has spent years 

 of work in Southern Nigeria ; and even his and his 

 wife's energy could not make time for two books, in 

 addition to ordinary station work and many pursuits. 



