15 

 MAMMALIA. CABNIVOEA. 



LION. 



Fi'Us leo. 

 French : le Lion. German : Der Lowe. 



This well-known and majestic animal, the emblem of 

 strength and dignity, is now principally found in Africa, 

 and is most abundant in Algeria, Mashona Land, and 

 Central Africa. It has become very rare in some parts 

 of this continent of late years, although they are very 

 plentiful and bold in East Central Africa, as Mr. H. 

 Johnston remarks. 



In 1653 Lions were very numerous at the Cape of 

 Good Hope, and even approached Cape Town. In 1847 

 500 Lions were slain near Schoer's Spruit. Mr. Selous 

 says that they are now much rarer in Central South Africa. 



The Lion also inhabits South-Western Asia, Arabia, 

 etc., and Guzarat in India ; and in ancient times was 

 found in colder climates than its present range. It 

 was slain by one of David's warriors in winter-time ; it 

 probably then had a thick coat, like the Turkestan 

 Tiger. This is also shown in a marked degree in the 

 extensive manes of the Lions of the Nineveh Sculptures. 



The Lion is about 5 feet in length, and of a tawny- 

 brown colour. The tail is long and tipped with a tuft 

 of black hair. The male only possesses a mane ; that 

 of a full-grown animal gives it a truly majestic appear- 

 ance. It grows sometimes beyond the forelegs, and is 

 usually black or dark brown. It is probably a protec- 

 tion to the male when fighting. In some animals the 

 mane is extremely short ; and small yellow-maned 



