ORDER V. THE CARXIVORA. Ill 



slender and graceful. Slie displays more agility in Iicr motions, and is 

 more impetuous in tlie exercise of the various passions. The female is also 

 destitute of the mane and the long hair wliieh adorns the other parts of tlie 

 body of tlie male. 



It was doubtless the black mane variety tiuit Burcliell met witli in his 

 tra\eis, his dangerous encounter with which he thus relates : — 



"Tlie day was exceedingly pleasant, and not a cloud was to be seen. 

 For a mile or two we travelled along the banks of the river, which in this 

 part abounded in tall mat-rushes. The dogs seemed iiiucli to enjoy prowl- 

 ing about, and examining every bushy place, and at last met with some 

 object among the rushes which caused them to set up a most vehement and 

 determined barking. We explored the sjiot with caution, as we susjiectcd, 

 from the peculiar tone of tiieir bark, that it was what it proved to be — lions. 

 Having encouraged the dogs to drive them out, — a task which they per- 

 formed with great willingness, — we had a full view of an enormous biack- 

 maned lion and lioness. The latter was seen only for a minute, as she 

 made her escape up the river, under concealment of tiie rushes ; but the 

 lion came steadily forward, and stood still to look at us. At tliis moment 

 we felt our situation not free from danger, as the animal seemed prcfiaring 

 to spring upon us, and we were standing on the bank at the distance of 

 only a few yards from him, most of us being on foot and nnarmed, without 

 any visible possibility of escaping. 



"I had given up my horse to the hunters, and was on foot myself; but 

 there was no time for fear, and it was useless to attempt avoiding him. I 

 stood well upon my guard, holding my jiistols in my hand, with my finger 

 upon the trigger, and those who had muskets kept themselves prepared in 

 the same manner. But at this instant the dogs bcildly tlew in l)etween us 

 and the lion, and surrounding him, ke[it him at bay by their \ iolcnt and 

 resolute barking. The courage of thc.--e fiithfnl animals was most admira- 

 ble. They advanced up to tlie side of the huge beast, and stood making 

 the greatest clamor in his face, without the least appearance of fear. Tiie 

 lion, conscious of his strength, remained unmoved at their iinisy attempts, 

 and kept his head turned towards us. At one moment tiie dogs, per- 

 ceiving his eyes thus engaged, had advanced close to his feet, and seemed 

 as if they would actually seize hold of him ; but they paid dearly for their 

 imprudence, for, without discomposing the majestic and steady attitude in 

 which he stood fixed, he merely moved his paw, and in the next instant I 

 beheld two Ivinir dead. In doin"- this, he made so little exertion that it 

 ■was scarcely perceptible by what means they had been killed. <_)f the time 

 which we had gained by the interference of tiie dogs not a moment was lost. 

 We fired upon him. One of the balls went through his side, just between 



