I 34 THE LION. 



Of the magnificent and noble creatures called Lions, several species are reported to 

 exist, although it is thought by many experienced judges that there is really buv one 

 species of Lion, which is modified into permanent varieties according to the country 

 in which it lives. 



The best known of these species or varieties is the SOUTH AFRICAN LION, of whom 

 so many anecdotes have been narrated. This noble animal is found in nearly all parts 

 of Southern Africa, where the foot of civilized man has not stayed its wanderings. 

 Before the tread of the white man, the Lion shrinks unwillingly, haunting each advanced 

 post for a time, but driven surely and slowly backward as the human intellect gains 

 opportunity for manifesting its supremacy over the lower animals. So entirely does 

 man sweep the wild beasts from his presence, that even in the Cape colony, a living 

 Lion is just as great a rarity as in England, and there are very few of the colonists who 

 have ever beheld a living Lion except when pent in a cage. 



The color of the Lion is a tawny yellow, lighter on the under parts of the body, 

 and darker above. The ears are blackish, and the tip of the tail is decorated with a 

 tuft of black hair. This tuft serves to distinguish the Lion from any other member 

 of the cat tribe. The male Lion, when full grown, is furnished with a thick and shaggy 

 mane of very long hair, which falls from the neck, shoulders, and part of the throat 

 and chin, varying in tint according to the age of the animal, and possibly according to 

 the locality which it inhabits. The Lioness possesses no mane, and even in the male 

 Lion it is not properly developed until the animal has completed his third year. 



When fully grown, the male Lion measures some four feet in height at the shoulder, 

 and about eleven feet in total length. These measurements are only applicable to the 

 noble animals which have passed their lives in the free air of their native land, and 

 have attained their majority with limbs unshackled and spirits unbroken. 



The Lioness is a smaller animal than her mate, and the difference of size appears to 

 be much greater than really is the case, because she is devoid of the thick mane which 

 gives such grandeur and dignity to her spouse. Although smaller in size, she is quite 

 as terrible in combat ; and, indeed, the Lioness is ofttimes a foe much more to be 

 dreaded than the Lion. When she has a little family to look after, Leaena is a truly 

 fearful enemy to those who cross her path, assuming at once the offensive, and charg- 

 ing the intruders with a fierce courage that knows no fear and heeds no repulse. 



Of the character of the Lion, opinions the most opposite have been promulgated. 



Until later days the Lion was considered to be the very type of fiery courage and 

 kingly generosity, indomitable in conflict with the strong, but merciful in sparing the 

 weak and defenceless. Latterly, however, writers have passed to the opposite extreme, 

 speaking of the Lion as a cowardly sneaking animal, and have even gone so far as to 

 declare him to be no more formidable than a mastiff. It must be remarked that these 

 opposite ideas have been put forth by men of practical experience, who have been 

 personally acquainted with the king of beasts in his own domains. 



Making due allowance for the " personal error," as astronomers would term the 

 difference of idiosyncrasy in the narrators, we may safely conjecture that the truth lies 

 somewhere between the two extremes, and that the Lion is not always so fierce an 

 animal as is said to be the case by some, nor always so cowardly as it is said to be by 

 others. 



Even the same individual may be at one time ferocious and truculent, attacking a 

 party of armed men, in spite of their fire-rampart, and carrying off one of their number 

 from among them ; or at another time it may be timid and cowardly, skulking out of 

 sight if discovered, and flying in terror before the shouts and cries of a few savages. 



Hunger seems to be the great cause of a Lion's defiance of danger ; and it but 

 seldom happens that a Lion which has had plenty to eat troubles itself to attack man 

 or beast. 



There seems to be a considerable spice of indolence in the Lion, which indeed is 

 the case in most of the members of the cat tribe. It is capable of very great muscular 

 efforts, and for a time will exert the most wary vigilance. But as soon as the existing 

 cause is removed, the creature seems overcome with lethargy, and, seeking the cover 

 of its lair, yields itself to repose. 



