46 



or grinders, have three points ; the tongue is 

 furnished with rough sharp prickles, pointing 

 backwards ; and the claws are sheathed and 

 retractile. This genus comprehends twenty- 

 two species, including the megalonyx. 



It is said, that in warm countries quadru- 

 peds are larger and stronger than in cold or 

 temperate climates ; that they are likewise more 

 fierce and hardy : all their natural qualities cor- 

 responding with the ardour of the climate; that 

 the lions nourished under the scorching sun 

 of Africa, or the Indies, are strong, fierce, 

 and terrible ; and that those of Mount Atlas, 

 whose top is sometimes covered with snow, are 

 neither so strong nor so ferocious as those of 

 Belledulgired or Zaara, whose plains are co- 

 vered with burning sands. We have now, how- 

 ever, reason to doubt the justice of these ob- 

 servations, and to conceive, that other causes 

 concur to inspire courage and repress vigour, 

 than the influence of heat and cold. Do we 

 not know — are we not convinced — that an ani- 

 mal of the lion s sensibilities, but far superior 

 to him in magnitude, ferocity, and strength, 

 was once the dread and scourge of all the 

 western world ! And what has become of him ? 



