MEMOIR OF PENNANT. 61 



young, and equal tyranny towards the females. 

 The former are fierce in the protection of their 

 offspring; and should any one attempt to take 

 Iheir cub, will stand on the defensive, while the 

 female carries it away in her mouth. Should she 

 happen to drop it, the male instantly quits its ene- 

 my, falls on her, and beats her against the stones 

 till he leaves her for dead. As soon as she re- 

 covers, she crawls to his feet in the most suppliant 

 manner, and washes them with her tears; he, at 

 the same time, actually insults her misery, stalking 

 about in the most insolent manner. But if the 

 young is entirely carried off, he melts into the 

 greatest affliction, likewise sheds tears, and shows 

 every mark of deep sorrow. It is probable that as 

 the dam brings only one or at most two cubs, he 

 feels his misfortune the more sensibly. 



" Those animals which are destitute of females, 

 through age or infirmity, or are deserted by them, 

 withdraw themselves from society, and grow exces- 

 sively splenetic, peevish, and quarrelsome ; are very 

 furious, and so attached to their ancient stations, as 

 to prefer death to the loss of them. They are 

 enormously fat, and emit a most nauseous and rank 

 smell. If they perceive another animal approach 

 their seat, they are instantly roused from their in- 

 dolence, snap at the encroacher, and give battle. 

 During the fight, they insensibly intrude on the 

 station of their neighbour ; this creates new offence, 

 so that at length the civil discord spreads through 



