358 CARNIVORES. 



a single stiipe of similar tint along the middle of the back. In certain lights more 

 or less faintly marked spots may be observed in many lions nearly or quite up to 

 the period of maturity ; these markings, as a rule, being more consi^icuous in females 

 than in males. The mane of the male does not make its appearance till the animal 

 is about three years of age, and continues to grow until the age of about six yeai-s. 

 Although the full length of the period of a lion's life does not appear known, it 

 has been ascertained that they will live to tliirty, and it is said even till forty j'ears. 



THE CAPE .MAXED UuN. 



Owing to the circumstance that the measurements of lions are frequently taken 

 from skins, exaggerated notions of the length attained bv large males have obtained 

 currency. Mx*. Blanford states that a male — presumabh' an Indian specimen — 

 measured 8 feet 10 inches from the tip of the muzzle to the tip of the tail : 2 feet 

 11 inches of this being occupied by the tail alone. Mr. Selous, writing of South 

 African lions, observes that " the following are the lengths of the pegged-out skins 

 of six full-grown males shot by mj-self. and carefully measured with a tape-line : — 

 viz., 10 feet 3 inches, 10 feet 6 inches, 10 feet 9 inches, 10 feet 10 inches, 9 feet 7 

 inches, and 11 feet 1 inch. These are the lengths of the skins after being pegged 

 out and stretched out to a certain extent. However, after having flayed it, I 



