96 
CARNIVORA. 
Since the preceding observations on the lion and 
its varieties were written, the author has been in- 
formed, indirectly, but on the veracity of a gentle- 
man, that a lion was lately exhibited at Calcutta, 
which was brought from the interior, and full-grown, 
but which was not much larger than a mastiff ; of a 
mouse-colour, with scarcely any mane. As the Syrian 
black lion is mentioned by Pliny, it seems probable 
that this is the species the ancient naturalist alludes 
to. 
