CARNIVORA. 
23 
in order to be gratified with the sight of their being 
torn in pieces ; and it has happened, in a few in- 
stances, that the lion has not only spared, but fos- 
tered and kept for years the intended victim of 
brutal curiosity. 
Major Smith has met with eleven instances of dif- 
ferent lions, which have protected and fostered dogs, 
and but a single one of the tiger exhibiting a similar 
kindness of disposition. 
In a state of confinement, they have frequently 
shown unequivocal marks of gratitude and affection 
toward their feeder and keeper, as in the case men- 
tioned by Seneca, of which he was personally wit- 
ness, of a lion, to whom a man, who had formerly 
been his keeper, was exposed for destruction in the 
amphitheatre at Rome, and who was not only instantly 
recognised, but defended and protected by the grate- 
ful beast. Indeed, those animals which are ex- 
hibited as public shows, when they have been for 
some time accustomed to restraint, will, in general, 
not only become obedient to their feeder and keeper, 
but even show a considerable degree of liking to- 
ward him, though in such cases it is necessary for 
the man to exercise caution and discretion, and not 
to expose himself to the animal when feeding, or 
-when its irritability is at all excited. 
I am told, on the most respectable authority, that 
the keeper of a lion, which was exhibited about the 
country at fairs a few years ago, was in the habit of 
putting his head into the mouth of the beast, having 
previously put on a worsted cap, to defend himself 
