THE CAT T U I n E . 



47 



her tail She sometimes, also, when her apprehensions are great, 

 transports them from one place to another; and, if obstructed, 

 defends them with determined courage, and fights to the last. 

 The cubs are beautiful, playful little things, are slightly striped, 

 and have no mane until they are about two years old. 



Lioness. 



The lion is chiefly an inhabitant of the torrid zone; and u 

 always most formidable there : nevertheless, he can subsist in more 

 temperate climates; and there was a time when even the southern 

 parts cf Europe were infested by him. At present, he is ;nlj 

 found i 1 Africa and the East Indies ; in some of which countries 

 he grows to an enormous height. 



The opinion that lions will not touch a dead animal is erro- 

 neous; as they were frequently shot by Mr. Gumming while de- 

 vouring gnus, etc., that had fallen by his rifle. Those lions who 

 have once tasted human flesh are generally the most to be dreadedj^ 

 as they will even venture to spring in among a company of men, 

 and seize their victim. These lions are called man-eaters. During 



