24 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



up severe inflammation and festering, thereby partially 

 or entirely preventing the lion from getting his livelihood. 



Old lions are seldom found to be suffering in this way, 

 unless, indeed, they have reached such a state of weak- 

 ness that it may be presumed they were forced to take 

 the first chance of an easy meal that offered. On the 

 other hand, quite a considerable percentage of young 

 lions and of those in the prime of life are discovered 

 to be thus injured, and are often mere skin and bone, 

 showing that they have been unable to hunt, or, at least, 

 catch animals, on account of their injuries. 



It appears to be very exceptional, however, for females to 

 commit this imprudence, possibly because they are 

 accustomed to hunt in company, and seldom go about 

 alone, as males often do. A great many male lions 

 have a few porcupine quills sticking in their bodies ; but, 

 if lucky enough to escape serious injury on the first 

 occasion, they no doubt either give up the dangerous 

 amusement, or take care that the more tender parts of 

 their anatomy do not suffer. ) Shortly after the conclusion 

 of the war a party was travelling near the Olifants 

 River, when a lion sprang from the side of the road upon 

 a pack horse ; so weak was he, however, that the horse 

 threw him off with ease, and when shot he was found to 

 be a mere skeleton, his feet in the most appalling state 

 from the effects of porcupine quills. This was a lion in 

 the early prime of life. 



\ As lions move through the bush on their rounds, they 

 travel at a steady pace of about two and a half miles 

 an hour, sometimes increasing it to a jog-trot of a mile 

 or two more, and occasionally halting to roll. They 

 clean their claws on tree trunks, and squares of bark 

 may be seen thus pulled off at about four feet from the 

 ground. 



