The Cat Tribe. 67 



the lions will prowl in the neighbourhood all night, not 

 one will dare to approach so mysterious an object, even 

 though he may be half wild with hunger. 



The young of the lion are generally from two to four 

 in number, and are about the size of an ordinary tom- 

 cat. For the first few months of their life, the fur is 

 brindled with darker stripes, in the same way as that 

 of the tiger ; as they grow older, however, these stripes 

 gradually become fainter, and at last entirely disappear. 

 The cubs are wonderfully playful little animals, and 

 frisk and gambol about their mother just like so many 

 kittens. Their weight is very great in proportion to 

 their size, the skeleton and muscular systems being 

 very solid and massive in structure. The full growth of 

 the lion is not reached until the end of the fourth year. 



In the more northern parts of Africa a variety, or 

 species, of the lion is found, usually known as the 

 Gambian lion (Leo Gambianus). In character and 

 habits it differs only in the very slightest degree from 

 its southern relative. 



The lion which inhabits Asia presents no particular 

 points of difference from that of Southern Africa, and 

 a detailed description will therefore be unnecessary. 

 A peculiar variety, or species, according to some 

 writers, however, is found in Guzerat. This is usually 

 known as the Maneless Lion (Leo Goojrattensis), on 

 account of its lacking the hairy covering of the neck 

 and shoulders which is found in the other species. 

 This is not entirely wanting, but is very imperfectly 

 developed, the animal not possessing, in consequence, 

 the majestic aspect with which we are so familiar. The 

 tail is shorter in comparison, with a large tuft of hair 

 at the tip. 



By the natives, this animal is often called the 

 ' camel-tiger,' on account of the resemblance its fur 

 bears in colou r to that of the camel. 



