298 
UON. 
of escape. But the most usual manner of taking 
this animal is while a cub, and incapable of re- 
sistance. The place near the den of the lioness 
is generally well known by the greatness of her 
depredations on that occasion ; the natives, there- 
fore, watch the time of her absence, and, aided 
by a swift horse, carry off her cubs ; which they 
sell to strangers, or to the great men of their 
country. 
The lion, while young and active, lives by 
bunting in the forest at the greatest distance from 
any human habitation ; and seldom quits this re- 
treat while able to subsist by his natural industry ; 
but when he becomes old and unfit for the pur- 
poses of surprise, he boldly comes down into 
places more frequented, attacks the flocks and 
herds that take shelter near the habitation of the 
shepherd or the husbandman, and depends rather 
upon his courage than his address for support. 
It is remarkable, however, that when he makes 
one of these! desperate sallies, if he finds men and 
quadrupeds in the same field, he only attacks the 
latter, and never meddles with men, unless they 
provoke him to engage. It is observed that he 
prefers the flesh of camels to any other food ; he 
is likewise said to be fond of that of young ele- 
phants ; these he often attacks before their trunk 
is yet grown ; and, unless the old elephant comes 
to their assistance, he makes them an easy prey. 
The lion is terrible upon all occasions, but 
particularly at those seasons when he is incited 
by desire, or when the female has brought forth. 
It is then that the lioness is seen followed by 
eight or ten males, who fight most bloody battles 
among each other, till one ©f them becomes vie-* 
torious over all the rest. She is said to bring 
forth in spring, and to produce but once a year. 
With respect t© the time ©f gestation, naturalists 
