250 
VEETEBRATA. 
A LION STEALING UPON HIS PEET. 
lover stie is sure to find, althougli she may not keep tim, for the moment that a braver lion 
appears she gives him always a ready welcome. From wdiat I have seen of the lion, I am led to 
believe that he has a more faithful heart than his fickle spouse, and never, unless forced to do 
so, changes his mistress, but takes her for better or for worse, during the whole term of his 
matrimonial connection, and he shows for her an affection and care that are worthy of a better 
return. 
*' AVhen the royal couple leave their lair, both in going and returning, the lioness always leads 
the way, and when she pauses in her walk, the lion stops till she is ready to go on. After 
arriving at some Arab encampment where their supper is to be procured, the lioness lies down at 
a short distance off, while the lion bounds bravely into the inclosure, and selects for her whatever 
is best to her taste, and lays it down at her feet. He watches her with great pleasure while she 
makes her repast, and never thinks of eating himself until she is satisfied. In a word, there is 
no form of tenderness that he does not manifest for her, either during or after the honeymoon. 
"When the lioness becomes heavy with yoimg, W'hich occurs during the latter part of Decem- 
ber or the first of Januaiy, she seeks a dense and impenetrable ravine, where she may deposit 
her offspring. The litter varies in number from one to three, depending upon the age and vigor 
of the lioness, but there are ordinarily two cubs, one male and one female. 
" During the first few days after becoming a mother, she never leaves her cubs, even for an 
instant, and the father provides for all their wants. It is only after they have reached the age of 
three months, and have finished teething, that the mother goes out to get food for them, and 
then is absent only a few hours each day. On her return, she brings them mutton or some other 
simple food, carefully skinned and torn in small pieces. The crisis of teething is a very important 
one in the Hfe of the lion cubs, and a large number die at that period. The male lion, who is of 
a very grave and reserved character when old, does not love to stay by his offspring, w^hose 
childish gambols offend his dignity ; and, in order to be more tranquil, he selects a sleeping 
apartment in the jungle, near that of his wife, and where he may be called in case of need. 
At the age of from four to five months, the whelps follow their mother during the night to 
the edge of the woods, where they wait for the lion to bring them their dinner. At the age of 
six months, and during a dark night, the whole family change their domicile ; and from this 
