THE LION, LIONESS, AND CUBS. 107 



THE LION, LIONESS, and CUBS. 



IN THE ROYAL MENAGERY, TOWER OF LONDON. 



In a former part of this work, (see pages 31 and 69) we have described the white or silver lions, and 

 the cubs, which are the offspring of the animals now under our consideration. In the natural arrange- 

 ment of animals, the lion belongs to the cat genus ; and perhaps it may be said, that the most effectual 

 method of guarding against the general prejudice, which takes delight in assigning to the lion the 

 highest rank, at the expense of all other animals, will be found in the incontestable fact, that, both in 

 a physical and moral sense, the lion is nothing more than a cat of extraordinary magnitude, but at the 

 same time invested with unequalled strength, tremendous powers of destruction, and a courage dauntless 

 as it is often ferocious. If we were not in a great degree acquainted with the natural disposition of this 

 stately animal, we should feel a great degree of terror in seeing the keepers of the different menageries 

 play with him as with a dog, and even chastise him when he has given any offence. He seems to 

 bear all this treatment with the utmost good nature, and instances very rarely occur of his revenging 

 these unprovoked and wanton insults. The lion, in a state of captivity, is often bred up with domestic 

 animals, and he has been frequently seen to play innocently and familiarly among them ; and if it ever 

 happen that his natural ferocity returns, it is seldom exerted against his benefactors. 



It is by the uniformity of his colour that the lion is particularly distinguished from the other animals 

 of the cat genus, it being a pale tawny above, and becoming somewhat lighter beneath, and never par- 

 taking of the spots or stripes of the leopard or tiger. In the adult lion, his long and flowing mane is 

 a peculiar characteristic, imparting a majesty and grandeur to the animal which is not to be equalled 

 in any others of his tribe. It originates nearly as far forward as the root of his nose, extending back- 

 wards over his shoulders, and descending in graceful undulations on each side of his neck and face. 

 The tuft of long and blackish hair which terminates his long and powerful tail, is also one of his 

 peculiar characteristics, and forms the only dark colour which exhibits itself in the whole animal. The 

 lioness differs from the lion in the want of the mane, and in the more slender proportions of her body. 



We are indebted to Mr. Bennett, one of the most active members of the Zoological Society, for 

 some very interesting particulars respecting the " old lion " of the Tower, who, although he is known 

 by that name, is in reality little more than six years old. His proper name, or rather that by which he 

 has been known ever since his arrival at the Tower, is George. The following anecdotes respecting the 

 mode of his capture, and his habits and demeanour in his captivity, are given on the authority of Mr. 

 Cope, who derived his information on the first point from General Watson himself; and in regard to 

 the latter, he speaks from his own personal observation. 



It was in the commencement of the year 1823, when the General was on service in Bengal, that, 

 being out one morning on horseback, armed with a double-barrelled rifle, he was suddenly sur- 

 prised by a large male lion, which bounded out upon him from the thick jungle at the distance of only 

 a few yards. He instantly fired, and the shot taking complete effect, the animal fell dead almost at 

 his feet. No sooner was this formidable foe thus disposed of, than a second, equally terrible, made 

 her appearance, in the person of a lioness, whom the General also shot at, and wounded so dangerously 

 that she retreated into the thicket. As her following so immediately on the footsteps of her mate 

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