BEASTS OF PREY. 



The Lion {Felis led). — Lieuw of the Dutch; Tauw of the 

 Bechuanas ; Isilouan of the Matabele ; Shumba of the East- 

 coast natives; 'Gham of the Masarwas. 



Lions everywhere differ so much in size and colour that old hunters 

 both English and Dutch, positively assert that there are at least 

 three or four distinct species, but as a matter of fact, there is really 

 but the one in Africa. In some instances full-grown males have 

 been found in South Africa of a fawn colour so light as to be 

 little removed from dirty white, and with scarcely any appearance 

 of mane; while others in the same district, although not so advanced 

 in age, may be ornamented with full flowing manes and dark brown 

 coats, and vice versa. It is also worth mentioning that cubs from 

 the same mother will very often vary in hue, and that, contrary to 

 the usual belief. Lions in captivity bear a much more imposing 

 appearance than when found at large in their native haunts. They 

 are usually met with in pairs, but also frequently in troops up to 

 ten in number, composed of two, three, or, perhaps, four genera- 

 tions. A few still remain in the extreme Northern confines of the 

 Zoutpansberg district of the Transvaal and about Delagoa Bay. 

 In British Bechuanaland their presence is now and then reported 

 from the extreme Westwardly course of the Molopo River, before its 

 waters become absorbed in the sands of the Southern Kalahari. But 

 Northward, without mentioning any particular locality, throughout 

 South-central Africa, wherever large game is plentiful, they are more 

 or less numerous, particularly so in the low-lying countries along the 

 East Coast, and the presence of Burchell's Zebras in quantities is 

 a sure indication that Lions are to be found in thfe vicinity. It is 

 only in places little frequented that one is lucky enough to come 

 across these animals during the day; but from recent accounts Provi- 

 dence appears to have made special dispensations in favour of a 

 few " sporting " neophytes who have visited Mashonaland. 



