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“ generous,” tlie “ magnificent,” tfie “ formidable/’ the “ con- 
queror,” the “ irresistible,” the “ gallant,” the “ superb,” the 
“invincible,” the “ devourer,” the “ courageous,” the “intre- 
pid,” the “roaring,” and eighty- nine other attributes in his 
praise, being but one short of the number which they accord 
to the Almighty. 
Dameiri subsequently describes a conflict in which he took 
part between a host of Arab warriors and a single lion. In this 
affray more than one hundred men and as many horses were 
placed hors de combat, and the lion, pierced with wounds, 
remained master of the battle-field, the king having given way 
before so noble and courageous an animal. 
This high estimate of the Numidian lion, published many 
centuries back, accords ■with the facts which I have collected, 
and my own observations at the present day. 
I have, however, found in Numidia, not one, but three well- 
marked varieties of lion ; and I presume it is in honour of the 
most formidable of these that the Arab chronicler has recited 
his narrative. The three varieties of this interesting family 
known to me are the fawn-coloured, the grey, and the black. 
Amongst the Arabs they are known as “ el Asfar,” “ el Zar- 
zouri,” “ el Adraa.” The fawn-coloured and grey varieties are 
bold animals, far superior in external form and muscular strength 
to their other African congeners, and also dissimilar in their 
habits. 
These great lords hold the principle that to hunt game is a fit 
employment only for poachers and peasants ; and, after the 
manner of certain barons of the middle ages, they deem it more 
dignified and convenient to support themselves at the expense 
of their vassals. Every man, therefore, who stands possessed 
of a herd of oxen, a flock of sheep, or of a few horses, is, 
in their opinion, amenable to the levy of tithe and tribute. 
Starting upon this axiom (still uncontroverted), the lion just 
referred to awakes at sunset, and coolly proceeds to some rock 
in the vicinity of his lair to perform his toilet; and from 
whence, looking down upon his territories, he can survey the 
whole suiTOunding plain, and perceive the various flocks and 
herds returning to the fold. 
When night has fairly set in, he rises to his feet, roars for 
the first time, and swaying his enormous head from side to 
side as he proceeds, makes his way with measured pace towards 
the encampment which is to furnish him his supper. 
The very roar of the hon in its wild state, which is a music 
that even the most fastidious would deem worthy of being 
listened to, is truly magnificent. His first note, when he com- 
mences to roar, is a low sound emitted from the chest and 
nostrils ; but it is audible from a great distance. This is a 
