CARNIVORA. 
19 
will flee from the hunters ; but it must be remem- 
bered, that the lion is generally pursued by day, 
and it is probable, that he bears the glare of an African 
sun, reflected from a sandy soil, with great incon- 
venience. It is, therefore, as unjust to tax this ani- 
mal with cowardice, because he wishes to avoid a 
contest, at a period when his sight is much dete- 
riorated, as it would be to rate the hunter for his 
timidity, because he will not chase the lion in the 
dark. 
The roar of the lion, 
A blast so loud and dread. 
Were ne’er prophetic sounds so full of wo,” 
to be properly felt, must be heard. When in the act 
of seizing his prey, the deep thundering tone of the 
roar is heightened into a horrid scream, which ac- 
companies the fatal leap on the unhappy victim. 
This power of voice is said to be useful to the animal 
in hunting, as the weaker sort, appalled by it, flee 
from their hiding-places, in which alone they might 
find security, as the lion does not hunt by scent, and 
seek for it in ineffectual flight, which generally ex- 
poses them to the sight of their enemy, and conse- 
quently to certain death. 
The lion is capable of carrying off with ease a 
horse, a heifer, or a buffalo. The mode of its at- 
tack is generally by surprise, approaching slowly and 
silently, till within a leap of the predestined animal, 
on which it then springs, or throws itself with a force, 
which is thought in general to deprive its victim of 
life before the teeth are employed. It is said, this 
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