

250 



VERTEBRATA. 



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A LION" STEALING UPON HIS PREY 



lover she i- sure to find, although she may not keep him, tor the moment that a braver linn 

 appears she gives him always a ready welcome. From what I have seen of the lion, 1 am led- to 

 believe that he has a more faithful heart than his fickle spouse, and never, unless forced to do 

 -o. changes his mistress, hut takes her for better or for worst', during the whole term of lib 

 matrimonial connection, and he shows for her an affection and care that are worthy of a bettor 

 return. 



'• When the royal couple leave their lair, both in going and returning, the lioness always leads 

 the way, and when she pauses in her walk, the lion stops till she is ready to go on. After 

 arriving at some Arab encampment where their supper is to be procured, the lioness lies down at 

 a Bhort distance off, while the lion bounds bravely into the inelosure, and selects for her whatever 

 is best to her taste, and lays it down at her feet. lie watches her with great pleasure while she 

 makes her repast, and never thinks *<( eating himself until she is satisfied. In a word, there ■ 

 no form of tenderness that he does not manifest for her, either during or after the honeymoon. 



•' W hen the Hone-- becomes heavy with young, which occurs during the latter part of Decem- 

 or the first of January, she seeks ;l dense and impenetrable ravine, where she may deposit 

 lier offspring. The litter varies in number from one to three, depending upon the age and \ 

 of the lioness, but there are ordinarily two cubs, one male and one female. 



"During the first few days after becoming a mother, she never leaves her cubs, even for an 

 instant, and the father provides for all their wants. It is only after they have reached the ag 

 three month-, and have finished teething, that the mother e.-,,es out to get food for them, ami 

 then b ali- nt only a few hours each day. On her return, she brings them mutton or some other 

 simple food, carefully skinned and torn in small pieces. The crisis of teething is a very important 



in tie' life of the lion cubs, and a large number die at that period. The male lion, who i 

 a very grave and reserved character when old, does not love to stay by his offspring, wl 

 childish gambols offend hi- dignity; and. in order to be more tranquil, he selects a slcepiiiL' , 

 apartment in the jungle, near that of his wife, ami where he may be called in case of need. 

 • At the age of from four t-> five months, the whelps follow their mother during the night t-> 



tie- edge of the w K where they wait for the lion to bring them their dinner.. At the ag 



-ix months, and during a dark night, the whole family change their domicile; and from thi- . 



