174 MAMMALIA—LION. 
was scarcely perceptible by what means they had been killed. Of tne time 
which we had gained by the interference of the dogs, nota moment was 
lost; we fired upon him; one of the balls went through his side jus’ be- 
tween the short ribs, and the blood immediately began to flow, but the 
animal still remained standing in ign position. We had now no 
doubt that he would spring upon us; every gun was instantly reloaded; but 
happily we were mistaken, and were not sorry to see him move quietly 
away ; though I had hoped in a few minutes to have been enabled to take 
hold of his paw without danger. 
“‘ This was considered, by our party, to be a lion of the largest size, and 
seemed, as 1 measured him by comparison with the dogs, to be as large 
as an ox. He was certainly as long in body, though lower in stature; 
and his copious mane gave him truly a formidable appearance. He was 
of that variety which the Hottentots and boors distinguish by the name 
of the black lion, on account of the blacker color of the mane, and which 
1s said to be always larger and more dangerous than the other, which 
they call the pale lion. Of the courage of a lion I have no very high opinion, 
but of his majestic air and movements, as exhibited by this animal, while at 
liberty in his native plains, I can bear testimony. Notwithstanding the 
pain of a wound, of which he must soon afterwards have died, he moved 
slowly away witha stately and measured step. 
“‘ The lion, as we have seen, principally lives in the plains, and is always 
found where there are large herds of wild antelopes and other animals 
feeding together, in that fellowship which is characteristic of each species. 
To all these animals he is an object of unceasing dread. It is supposed by 
the agitation which oxen display when a lion is near them, that they can 
scent him at a considerable distance. Whatever may be his physical 
strength, therefore, and we know that it is prodigious, it is evident he could 
not accomplish his purposes by strength alone. The instinctive fear of the 
creatures upon which he preys would be constantly called into action, by 
their keen sight and acute scent; and they would remove to some distant 
part before the destroyer could reach them. The lion, too, as well as the 
tiger, and others of the same species, seldom runs. He either walks, or 
creeps, or, for a short distance, advances rapidly by great bounds. It is 
evident, therefore, that he must seize his prey by stealth; that he is not 
fitted for an open attack; and that his character is necessarily that of great 
power united to considerable wariness in its exercise. 
“Every one, almost, is familiar with the roar of the lion. It is a sound 
of terror, and produces an appalling effect. It is said by travellers that it 
sometimes resembles the sound which is heard at the moment of an earth- 
quake ; and that he produces this extraordinary effect by laying his head 
upon the ground, and uttering a half stifled growl, by which means the 
noise is conveyed along the earth. The instant this roar is heard by the 
animals who are reposing in the plains, they start up with alarm ; they fly 
