134 THE ART OF TRAININa ANIMALS. 



given. The hpop is at first held low down and close to the 

 animal, hut it maybe gradually elevated as the lessons continue 

 until the leap is as high as the cage will permit. Covering 

 the hoop with paper adds a little to the attractiveness of 

 this feat, and, of course, the leopard experiences no difficulty in 

 going through a single thickness of paper. 



It is a harder task to induce the animal to jump through a 

 hoop in which a number of small lights are arranged so as to 

 form a fiery circle. The animal's natural dread of fire makes 

 him dislike anything of which fire forms a part, but if the hoop 

 be at iii'st of large size and the lights few, he will, if persever- 

 ingly urged, by-and-by venture. Experiencing no harm he will 

 gradually become bolder, and the size of the hoap may be 

 decreased and the lights increased until a wreath of fire is 

 formed barely large enough for him to pass through ; the 

 rapidity of his passage will prevent his being hurt by the flames. 

 A similar mode is adopted for teaching lions, though they are 

 less frequently ta.ught these tricks. 



The large cage in which the tamer's public exhibitions take 

 place is divided into several compartments by iron gates j each 

 animal has his allotted division and the gates prevent any in- 

 trusion by the other animals. It is only when the tamer is in 

 the cage that these-gates are opened ; then they swing back 

 against the sides, forming one large cage. The animals are 

 very jealous of any encroachment of the others, upon their ac- 

 customed space, and the tamer must be watchful to prevent 

 quarrels when they are thus all thrown together. It is easier 

 to make the beasts submit to a man's presence than to the 

 presence of one another. It is seldom that the tamer is assailed, 

 but many a time has one of the animals been killed during these 

 performances, without the spectators having any suspicion of 

 the fact. A sudden bite at the back of the neck crushes the 

 spine and the victim sinks upon the floor without a sound, dead. 

 The audience suppose he has lain down because his part of the 

 performance is over — and so it is. 



Wild animals kept in confinement are subject to spells of 

 sulkiness, at which times their management requires great judg- 

 ment and care on tbe part of the tamer. These sulky moods 

 are premonitions to the tamer of danger, and he makes it a point 

 whenever passing the cages to glance at the animals' eyes to 

 detect any suspicious looks. It is during these fits that most of 

 the casualties occur. 



Women have in several instances ventured to assume the role 

 of *^ lion queens." Some years ago one of these was traveling 

 with a showj through the country, whose husband, we have 



