LION. 17 



been driven in chariots. The Lion-tamer sometimes 

 puts his head into their jaws, or leans on a Lion. The 

 Lion-tamer, however, rmis great risk, and requires and 

 evinces great presence of mind. When performing, 

 some use a mere horsewhip, others steel whips when m 

 the cages. All quickl}^ shut the doors when the per- 

 formance is concluded ; fatal accidents have, alas ! been 

 too frequent. 



The Lion does not thrive well in the Zoological Gardens 

 in London, the young cubs usually dying of rickets, 

 owing, perhaps, to want of fresh air, and cold flooring 

 of outside cages. The Cologne, Clifton, Margate, and 

 especially the Dublin Gardens, are, on the contrary, 

 successful in rearing the young. The latter Society 

 derives a certain income from the sale of their surplus 

 animals. The Lions of travelling menageries thrive 

 better than those belonging to the Societies, the change 

 of air having an exceedingly good effect. When out 

 of condition, Mr. Tegetmeyer says that cows' livers 

 and paunches, goats' or rabbits' flesh should be given 

 them. 



The Lioness, when in captivity, produces one to six 

 young — usually four. 



The value of a skin of this noble beast depends 

 on perfectness of condition, colour and beauty of the 

 mane. A really fine black-maned perfect skin would 

 now be worth about £50 to i^70; yellow-maned and 

 imperfect, or menagerie skins (which lack the brightness 

 of wild) are worth considerably less — from ^£5 to £30. 



A Lioness' skin is worth from 10s. to 30s. 



Lion - skins are usually used for mounting, for 

 museums, or shop-windows. 



Very few skins are now met with. 



The value of a live Lion is from £150 to £200. 



