432 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



ing beneath ; but as soon as he perceived he had thus ill- 

 used his master, he instantly laid down upon his back, in 

 an attitude of complete submission." 



The Lion, while feeding, will exhibit a more disinterested 

 courage than most of the Carnivora. When the prey is 

 thrown to him at one corner of the cage, and the keeper 

 holds up a stick at the bars of the opposite side, the ani- 

 mal will instantly quit his food to attack the disturber of 

 his meal ; but if the same thing be done to the Tiger, he 

 will lie close upon his food, snort, give shrill barkings, and, 

 at most, just rise to fly at the stick, and then drop upon 

 his meat again." 



Unlike some of the carnivorous animals, which appear to 

 derive a gratification from the destruction of animal life 

 beyond the mere administering to the cravings of appetite, 

 the Lion, when once satiated, ceases to be an enemy. 

 Hence very different accounts are given by travellers of the 

 generosity or cruelty of its nature, which result, in all pro- 

 bability, from the difference in time and circumstances, or 

 degree of hunger, which the individual experienced when 

 the observations were made upon it. There are, certainly, 

 many instances of a traveller having met with a Lion in 

 the forest during day, 



Who g-lared upon him, and went surly by, 

 Without annoying him ; 



but when urged by want, this tremendous animal is as 

 fearless as he is powerful ; though in a state of confinement, 

 or when not exposed to the extremity of hunger, he gene- 

 rally exhibits tokens of a more tender feeling than is to be 

 met with in the Tiger, and most of the Felinae. 



The effect of the voice of the Lion, to be properly felt, 

 must be heard. During sexual excitement, its noise is 

 perfectly appalling, and produces on the mind of the by- 

 stander, however secure he may feel himself, that awful 



