358 MAMMALIA. 



In 1825 there were, in the menagerie in the Tower of London, 

 two young Lions, a male and female; they had been obtained 

 in India, whore they were captured when only a few days old, 

 and a Goat had been employed to suckle them during the early 

 months of their existence. So docile were they, that they were 

 allowed to wander about the courtyard, and visitors caressed and 

 played with them with impunity. At a later period, it was 

 deemed proper to shut them up, to prevent accidents ; but this 

 more rigorous captivity did not alter the character of the male. 

 "With regard to the female, she became intractable when suckling 

 — a circumstance perfectly explained when we know the violent 

 affection this creature displaj^s towards its progeny. 



In menageries, the keepers who look after these ferocious 

 beasts perform every daj^ as great feats as the professional trainers, 

 for the}' enter the cages, and are received by the occupants with 

 much affection — a truly curious interchange of greetings between 

 the Man and beast. 



There is still preserved the remembrance of a deep friendship 

 which arose between two Lions, male and female, brought to the 

 Jardin dcs Plantes, in 1799, and a man named Felix, the keeper, 

 at that period, of the menagerie. When he became unwell, and 

 it was necessary to replace him, the male Lion persistently refused 

 to have anything to do with the stranger, and would not even 

 allow him to approach the place of confinement. When Felix 

 reappeared, the Lion, accompanied by the Lioness, rushed to meet 

 him. They roared with pleasure while licking his face and hands, 

 and in aU their movements demonstrated the greatest joy at seeing 

 him once more. 



A Lioness has been exhibited in England which would allow 

 her keeper to get up)on her back, and, with a still greater degree 

 of familiarity, drag her about by the tail, or even place his head 

 between her teeth. 



The ancients, more adroit or less timid than ourselves, were 

 much better skilled in taming ferocious animals. Hanno of 

 Carthage employed a Lion to carry a portion of his baggage. 

 Mark Antony was often drawn in a chariot to which Lions were 

 yoked. The Indian princes of the last century knew the science of 

 training Tigers and Lions to himt for them. Even at the present 

 time, the Orientals frequently^ reduce the Lion to domesticity. 



