4 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
is peculiar to the species or race; connecting the indi- 
viduals together by marks common to them all, and at 
the same time separating them from the other animals of 
the same group or genus. 
In his moral and intellectual faculties, as well as in 
his external and physical characters, the Lion exhibits a 
close agreement with the strikingly distinct and well 
marked group to which he belongs, and of which he is 
unquestionably the first in rank and importance: and 
perhaps the most effectual means of guarding against 
the general prejudice, which has delighted in exalting 
him at the expense of his fellow beasts, will be found 
in the recollection that, both physically and morally, 
he is neither more nor less than a cat, of immense size 
and corresponding power it is true, but not on that 
account the less endowed with all the guileful and vin- 
dictive passions of that faithless tribe. His courage is 
proverbial: this, however, is not derived from any pecu- 
liar nobility of soul, but arises from the blind confidence 
inspired by a consciousness of his own superior powers, 
with which he is well aware that none of the inferior 
animals can successfully compete. Placed in the midst 
of arid deserts, where the fleet but timid antelope, and 
the cunning but powerless monkey fall his easy and 
unresisting prey ; or roaming through the dense forests 
and scarcely penetrable jungles, where the elephant and 
the buffalo find in their unwieldy bulk and massive 
strength no adequate protection against the impetuous 
agility and fierce determination of his attacks, he sways 
an almost undisputed sceptre, and stalks boldly forth 
in fearless majesty. But change the scene, and view 
him in the neighbourhood of populous towns, or even 
