118 DIVISION I. VEKTEBUAL ANIJIALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



Tlie lions of tlie Old World do not differ materially in their liabits. 

 Their breediiiLC-phices arc generally selected in some deep eo\er, and all 

 arcitiiid is watelied with such care that a transgres.^iim of the prescrihed 

 boundary would speedily call forth an attack. From two to four are pro- 

 duced at a litter ; they arc born with open eyes, but continue helples.s for 

 some weeks. Diu'ing that period tliey are nursed willi the utmost solici- 

 tude, and in some instances at least, the male also assists. (Sec Plate XII.) 



It is one of the most signal proofs of the supernatural endowments of 

 man, that he has been able to subdue this fierce and powerful beast, and 

 even to \\\n his attachment and aflcction. Tiie com[ilete docility of tiiis 

 aiumal in conlincmcnt most persons have had opportunities of oljscr\ing in 

 the numerous menageries w Inch periodically visit all j}arts of the country. 



A\'hile writing this article an open carriage passed under om- own win- 

 dow, containing a large Asiatic lion, entirely uneonfined, and a ladv ! He 

 lav at hei' sid(^ with the utmost composiu-e, evidently regarding her as his 

 protcclor and IVieiid, while lie looked calndy on tlie crowd tliat gathered, 

 natin'ally, to witness so novel a sj)eetacle. 



Sir William Jardine expresses the opinion that the lion is the most docile 

 and tractal)i(^ of all the Cats ; the most capable of attachment, and the least 

 Aariable in liis modds. It is certain 1k' may lie trained to perfect obedience, 

 and taught tn pcriorm wonderful things at exhibitions, which he does with 

 Considerable apparent enjoyment. 



CHAUACTElilS'riC AXECDOTES OF TIIE LION. 



A rvEFLECTiN(; LiC)X. — Some Ilottentiits once jicrceivcda lion dragging 

 a buffalo from the plain to a. neighlxnang hill. They soon f irced him to 

 (]uit his prev, in order to secure it for themselves. Thev now found that 

 the lion- had had the sagacity to take out the inner jiarts of the bullalo, th:it 

 were unfit for food, in order to make his load lighter, thus showing a degree 

 of rellection. 



A Liox-Advexture. — Diederik lilullcr, one of (lie most intrepid and 

 successful lion-hunters in South Africa, gives the Ibllou ing incident. He 

 had been out alone, bunting in the wilds, when iic came suddenlv upon a 

 lion, which, iustt-ad of giving way, seemed disposed, from tlie angry attitude 

 he assiuned, to dispute with him tlie dominion o|' tlie dcsci-t. Diederik 

 instantly aliglited, and, coulident of his unerring aim, le\el!ed his mighty 

 rorr at the forehead of the lion, who was coui'hcd in the act to spring, within 

 aljout fifteen paces of hini ; but, at the moment the hunter fired, his horse, 

 wliose bridle was round his arm, started back, and caused him to nuss. The 

 lion bdunded f irward, but stopped within a few paces, confronting Diederik, 

 who stood dcl'encelcss, his gun discliarged, and his horse running off. The 



