66 THE MAMMALS OF ETHIOPIAN AFRICA 



the belly. Among several races that have been named, the Cape lion (F. I. capensis) 

 is characterised by its dusky yellow colour, and the extension of the mane on to 

 the under-parts ; the ears being unusually long and thick. 



The Senegal lion (F. I. senegalensis) is a medium-sized race of a reddish brown 

 colour, with a feeble development of mane, which is wanting on the shoulders, and 

 ends in a point on the withers. The lion of the Cameruns and Adamawa districts, 

 which has been distinguished as F. 1. Jcamptzi, is characterised by its ochery back, 

 the dun under-parts, and yellow mane. Of the remaining races, it must suffice 

 to mention the Masai lion of East Africa (F. I. masaica), which is remarkable for 

 retaining the spots, at any rate in some instances, in the adult. 



In connection with spotted lions, the following is of considerable interest : — 



In the Museum of Antiquities at Berlin is preserved an ancient mosaic from 

 Marefoschi, in Mesopotamia, representing a combat between centaurs and lions. 

 Behind one of the centaurs is depicted a dying lion with a profuse mane, while in 

 the background is a second lion crouching. A third is lying on a fallen centaur. 

 This last animal has the general build of an ordinary lion, although strongly made 

 in front, but falling away on the hind-quarters, where it shows distinct striping. 

 Narrow bands are also shown on the flanks, the fore and hind legs, the neck, and 

 the loins. The tail, which, like those of the other lions in the group, has a 

 thickened tip, is also barred in its basal half. The characteristic dorsal crest of the 

 tiger is lacking. In the lion standing in the background distinct spots are shown 

 on the body. According to a German naturalist, the stripes are too sparse and 

 narrow for a tiger, while the general form of the animals is essentially lion-like. 

 That the ancient artists were true to nature is demonstrated by a mosaic from 

 Hadrian's villa at Tivoli in the Berlin Museum, which represents the chita or 

 hunting-leopard with its characteristic solid spots correctly delineated. That the 

 Marefoschi mosaic does not represent a lion-tiger hybrid may be regarded as 

 practically certain. Some years ago, the Sultan Abdul Hamid presented to the 

 Berlin Zoological Gardens a Mesopotamian lion, with unusually large ears and a 

 large black spot on their outer surface. The general colour was brownish tawny, 

 due to the presence of brown tips to the hairs. , There was a distinct dark dorsal 

 stripe ; in front of the eyes were the normal light spots, and also two white spots on 

 the forehead. A pair of small dark stripes were conspicuous on the forehead in front 

 of the ears, another pair of narrow dark streaks crossed the shoulders, while there 

 were eight more on the hind part of the back. The fore-legs were marked with 

 brownish red spots, as were likewise the light-coloured under-parts. In addition, 

 a narrow dark bar was developed on the inner side of the thighs, which were like- 

 wise barred on the outer surface. Unfortunately, the Mesopotamian lion is now 

 verging on extinction, but the evidence of the Berlin specimen, taken in conjunction 

 with the Marefoschi mosaic, suggests that for the last two thousand five hundred 

 years it has, in many instances at least, been striped. 



As the habits of lions have been discussed at considerable length in the pre- 

 ceding chapter, no further mention is necessary in this place. 



A similar remark will apply in the case of the leopard, although 



some reference must be made to the local races and varieties. Some 



of the East African leopards, which have been described under the names of 



