180 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



ly, indeed, the fpecies is not numerous, and is faid to 

 be greatly diminifhed; for, if we may credit the tefli- 

 mony of thofe who have traverfed thefe vaft deferts, the 

 number of Lions is not nearly fo great as formerly. Mr 

 Shaw obferves, that the Romans carried more Lions 

 from Lybia in one year for their public fpe£tacles, than 

 could be found in all that country at this time. It is 

 likewife remarked, that in Turkey, Perfia, and the Indies, 

 Lions are not now fo frequently met with as in former 

 times. 



It is obferved of this animal, that its courage dimi- 

 nifhes, and its caution and timidity are greater, in pro- 

 portion as it approaches the habitations of the human 

 race. Being acquainted with man, and the power of his 

 arms, it lofes its natural fortitude to fuch a degree, as to 

 be terrified at the found of his voice. It has been known 

 to fly even before women and children, and fuffer itfelf 

 to be driven away by them from its lurking places in the 

 neighbourhood of their villages. 



This alteration in the Lion's difpofition fufficiently 

 fhews, that it will admit of a certain degree of educa- 

 tion: And it is a well-known fact, that the keepers of 

 wild beads frequently play with him, pull out his tongue, 

 hold him by the teeth, and even chaftife him without 

 caufe. The animal feems to bear all with a fullen kind 

 of compofure, and rarely retaliates this unmerited treat- 

 ment. — It is dangerous, however, to provoke him too 

 far, or to depend upon his temper with too great fecu- 

 rity. Labat tells us of a gentleman who kept a Lion in 

 his chamber, and employed a fervant to attend it ; who, 

 as is ufual, mixed his blows with carerTes. This ill- 

 judged aflbciation continued for fome time. One morn- 

 ing the gentleman was awakened by an unufual noife in 



