NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



and other herbage, and in this way he gets the benefit 

 of a cooling alkaline diet to counteract the acid re- 

 action of a flesh diet. 



On the approach of the breeding season there are 

 many frightful combats among the lions. When 

 the battles are finally over the lion and his mate live 

 affectionately together until the young have grown 

 sufficiently to take care of themselves. The lion at 

 this time is very unselfish, for he invariably brings 

 his " kill " to his mate, and allows her to help herself 

 first. So long as the cubs are small he carefully 

 guards them and their mother. 



The period of gestation of the lioness is about 

 1 08 days, and she produces two to five at a birth — 

 generally three. When the cubs are a few months 

 old they begin to practise the art of stalking, hunting, 

 and slaying, and at the age of about three years their 

 education is complete, and they then usually wander 

 away from their parents. 



The opinions expressed by various hunters in 

 regard to the lion's roar are very contradictory, 

 some claiming that it is no more awe-inspiring or 

 impressive than the booming cry of the cock ostrich, 

 but this is without doubt a libel. The lion's roar 

 is deep-toned, and repeated in rapid succession, 

 louder and louder, then the volume of sound gradu- 

 ally dies away and fades into a muffled muttering. 

 At other times the lion gives voice to a low, deep, 

 moaning sound, repeated several times, ending in a 

 loud sighing noise. Those who compare the lion's 



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