ORDER OF CARNIVORA. 
341 
reach, they spring upon it from behind, without allowing time for 
escape or defence. In order to avoid dangerous opposition, they 
seldom attack any but the most inoffensive animals. Hunger 
alone induces them to dart upon the first creature they come 
in contact with ; but, in this case, if they encounter resistance, 
their fury is commensurate. 
The Felidae family includes three genera — the Cat tribe, the 
Lynx, and the Hunting Leopard. 
The Cat genus . — This genus includes those Carnivora which 
have for their type the Domestic Cat. These are, in the Old 
World, the Lion, Tiger, Panther, Leopard, Ounce, Serval, Wild 
and Domestic Cats ; in the New World, the Jaguar, Puma, and 
Ocelot. 
The Lion ( Fells leo ). — If the impression made by the first sight 
of this animal be retained, it must be confessed that the Lion is 
no usurper of the title “ King of the Beasts,” which has been 
awarded him from the most ancient times. He carries his 
head high, and walks with a slowness which may well pass for 
gravity ; his visage is calm and dignified, and announces a full 
consciousness of his strength. The bushy and magnificent mane 
which overshadows his head and neck is an addition which 
confers on his remarkable ensemble an air of grandeur which 
commands awe. 
Some adult Lions have attained a length of nearly ten feet, 
from the tip of the muzzle to the root of the tail ; but, generally 
speaking, they do not exceed six to seven feet. With the 
exception of the mane and a tuft of hair at the end of the tail, 
the coat is entirely smooth, and of a nearly uniform tawny 
colour. The female is distinguished by the absence of any mane, 
and by a smaller head ; she is generally, in proportion, about 
one-fourth less than the male. 
Buffon has drawn a magnificent portrait of the Lion, which 
will ever remain one of the most beautiful passages in French 
literature. He attributes to it the good qualities of courage, 
magnanimity, generosity, nobility of character, gratitude for 
kindness, and sensibility. Unfortunately, this elaborate panegyric 
is fated to give way before observation. 
Before proceeding any further, there is one remark which it 
is necessary to make, which is, that Lions differ much in size, 
