24 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Dreadful effect of ill treatment. 



signs of malignity towards the human species. 

 TSav, such was the gentleness of their disposition, 

 that even lambs might pass them unmolested. 

 The sultan of Dar Fur had likewise two tame 

 lions, which always went to the market with their 

 keeper, to feed. 



It is truly astonishing to observe, with what 

 patience and good humour this noble animal suf- 

 fers his keeper to play with him, to pull out his 

 tongue, and even wantonly to chastise him. 

 Some instances have, indeed, occurred, of his re- 

 venging these unprovoked sallies, but they are 

 very rare. Labat speaks of a gentleman who 

 kept a lion in his chamber. The servant whom 

 he employed to attend him, frequently mingled 

 blows with his caresses. This injudicious treat- 

 ment he continued for some time; but one morn- 

 ing, the gentleman was awakened by an unusual 

 noise in his room, and, on drawing the curtains 

 of his bed, he beheld with horror the lion growl- 

 ing over the man's head, which he had separated 

 from his body, and was tossing round the floor. 

 He hastily withdrew into the adjoining apart- 

 ment, called for assistance, and had the animal 

 secured from doing farther mischief. 



Instances are, indeed, recorded of the lion's 

 being satisfied with chastising his pursuers, with- 

 out killing them. Thus, a Hottentot of the Cape 

 received a bite in the face from a lion, who then 

 stalked away; and a planter was for some time 

 in the power of a lion, which spared his life,, alter 



