BOOK VIII.] History of Nature. 27 



the Mind of Lions, as in Horses their Ears, for these Marks 

 Nature hath given to the most noble Beast ; and when the 

 Lion stirreth not his Tail he is quiet and gentle, as if he were 

 willing to be played with; but he is seldom so, for he is more 

 frequently angry. In the Beginning of his Anger he beateth 

 the Ground, when it increaseth he beateth his Sides and 

 Back as if to whip himself with something that would stir 

 up his Fury. His main Strength lieth in his Breast ; from 

 every Wound, whether made by his Claw or Tooth, the 

 Blood that floweth is Black. When their Belly is full they 

 become harmless. His Magnanimity is chiefly shewn in 

 Dangers ; not only in that he despiseth the Darts, but also 

 that he defendeth himself by his Terror only, and as if bear- 

 ing witness that he is forced to his own Defence, he riseth up 

 in Fury, not as at last compelled by the Peril, but as made 

 angry by their Folly. But this more noble Display of Courage 

 is shewn in that, however great may be the Strength of 

 Hounds and Hunters, while in the open Plains and where 

 he may be seen, he retireth only by degrees and with Scorn ; 

 but when he hath got among the Thickets and Woods then 

 he hurrieth away, as if the Place concealed his Shame. 

 When he followeth he leapeth with a Bound, which he never 

 useth to do in Flight. If wounded he hath a remarkable 

 Quickness of Observation to discern the Person who smote 

 him, and amidst a Multitude he runneth upon him only. As 

 for the Man who hath thrown a Dart at him without wound- 

 ing him, he striketh him down, and seizeth and shaketh him, 

 but doth not wound him. When the Female fighteth for her 

 Whelps, it is said that she fixeth her Gaze upon the Ground, 

 that she may not be affrighted at the Sight of the hunting 

 Weapons. For the rest, they are destitute of Craft and Sus- 

 picion ; they never look aslant, and they love not to be 

 looked at in that manner. It is believed that when they are 

 dying they bite the Earth, and in their Death shed Tears. 

 This Animal, so fierce as he is, is made afraid with the 

 running round of Cart-wheels, or empty Chariots; he is ter- 

 rified with the Cock's Comb, and much more with his Crow- 

 ing, but most of all with the Sight of Fire. The Lion is 



