16 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
the smooth and sleek fur, with which they are subse- 
quently invested, until they approach their full growth. 
As they advance towards the adult age, which takes 
place in the fifth or sixth year, the livery gradually 
disappears, and is then usually entirely lost. The 
Lioness herself, however, still retains some trifling 
vestiges of it. The Cubs are, as usual, destitute of the 
longer hairs which form the tuft at the extremity of the 
tail of the adult, which in them tapers to a black tip. 
Their voice is at present perfectly similar to the mewing 
of a cat; and it is not until they reach the age of eighteen 
months that it changes into that peculiar roar which 
afterwards becomes so tremendous. At that age the 
mane has already attained considerable developement. 
This appendage begins to make its appearance in the 
males when they are ten or twelve months old, having 
at first the shape of a slight frill or ruff, but gradually 
becoming more and more extensive, and at length assum- 
ing that striking form which gives to the full grown 
animal a graceful and dignified, and to the more aged a 
reverend and majestic, air. 
