THE LION. 27 



It is now known, however, that lions vary, not only in shade 

 and hue, but also in the deyelopment of the mane and of the 

 hair along the flanks, and in Asia and Africa there are specimens 

 frequently seen that are maneless, or comparatively so, but it 

 has been shown to be only a peculiarity of the individual, for in 

 other respects they are similar to their congeners. 



The usual pace of a lion is an apparently rather slow walk, but 

 the length of his body being so great, he covers considerable dis- 

 tance in a very short time. He can, however, accelerate his pace 

 into a trot, and often into a gallop or succession of bounds that 

 nearly equals the speed of the fleetest animals. 



Lions do not as a rule live in dens or caves, but generally 

 choose a commanding rock or side of a mountain or hill for a lair, 

 or in -some parts of South Africa the top of the raised knolls or 

 Tiojpfies peculiar to that portion of the world. From these elevated 

 positions they are not only less liable to be disturbed, but they 

 can watch the movements of the game, plan an ambush, or slip 

 away unperceived on the approach of man. 



The three lions and two lionesses now to be seen in the Zoo- 

 logical Gardens are no doubt very fair specimens of their species. 

 When we look on the tawny colour of their hide, we can readily 

 see how admirably adapted it is for concealment, and understand 

 how it was that Gordon Gumming, although blest with the 

 keenest vision, yet states that he often heard lions lapping water 

 at a less distance from him than twenty yards, and was unable 

 to make out even the outline of their forms. 



Two of the lions were presented to the Society, and the third 

 was purchased. The one whose photograph has been selected as 

 an illustration is a Nubian lion, and is known by the name of 

 "Punch." Punch is about eleven years old, and is really a 

 magnificent-looking animal, his face being exceptionally fine and 

 massive. Like all the carnivorous animals in the gardens, they 

 get fed once a day, and are given about ten or eleven pounds of 

 raw meat at this meal. 



For some reason or another, the lions that become the property 

 of the Zoological Society do not • live over twelve or fourteen 



