LIONS. 
284 
distant thunder. At times, and not unfrequently, a troop may 
be heard roaring in concert, one assuming the lead, and two, 
three, or four more, regularly taking up their parts, like persons 
singing a catch. Like our Scottish stags at the rutting-season, 
they roar loudest in cold frosty nights; but on no occasion are 
their voices to be heard in such perfection, or so intensely 
powerful, as when two or three strange troops of lions approach 
a fountain to drink at the same time. When this occurs every 
member of each troop sounds a bold roar of defiance at the 
opposite parties, and when one roars all roar together, and each 
seems to vie with his comrades in the intensity and power of 
his voice.’ The following powerfully drawn picture conveys a 
most accurate idea of the fearful banquets held in the primaeval 
forests of Africa, and, at the same time, is full of interest, from 
the light it throws on the habits of the carnivora. Mr. Cumming 
had shot three rhinoceroses near a fountain, and soon after 
twilight had died away he came down to the water to watch 
for lions. With him was a Hottentot named Kleinboy. ‘ On 
reaching the water, I looked towards the carcass of the rhino- 
ceros, and, to my astonishment, I beheld the ground alive with 
large creatures, as though a troop of zebras were approaching 
the water to drink. Kleinboy remarked to me that a troop of 
zebras were standing on the height: I answered ‘yes;’ but I 
knew very well that zebras would not be capering around the 
carcass of a rhinoceros. I quickly arranged my blankets, pillow, 
and guns in the hole, and then lay down to feast my eyes on 
the interesting sight before me : it was bright moonlight, as clear 
as I need wish. There were six large lions, about twelve or 
fifteen hyaenas, and from twenty to thirty jackals, feasting on 
and around the carcases of the three rhinoceroses. The lions 
feasted peacefully, but the hyaenas and jackals fought over ever}' 
mouthful, and chased one another round and round the carcasses, 
growling, laughing, screeching, chattering, and howling, without 
any intermission. The hyaenas did not seem afraid of the lions, 
although they always gave way before them ; for I observed 
that they followed them in the most disrespectful manner, and 
stood laughing, one or two on either side, when any lions came 
after their comrades to examine pieces of skin or bones which 
they were dragging away.” 
“ The veterinary art must have been rather low among the 
Romans, if we may judge from the following ludicrous prescrip- 
tion for a sick lion, given us by Pliny. ‘ The lion is never 
sicke but of the pevishnesse of his stomacke, loathing all meat; 
and then the way to cure him, is to ty unto him certaine shee 
apes, which, with their wanton mocking and making mowes at 
him, may move his patience, and drive him from the very 
