208 
LION. 
rise and stand like bristles round his head : the 
skin and muscles of his face are exceedingly agi- 
tated, and his huge contracted brows half cover 
his glaring eye-balls. He extends his ample jaws 
and discovers his teeth, which seem rather formed 
for tearing than for chewing his food. A tongue 
covered with rough points, and massive claws ex- 
tending three inches beyond the foot, will com- 
plete the figure of the enraged animal. When he 
is prepared in this manner for war, there are few 
beasts that will venture to engage him ; and even 
the boldest of the human kind are daunted at his 
approach. 
In his battles with the buffalo, although he al- 
ways gains the advantage, he is said to have re- 
course to stratagem to effect it, being afraid to at- 
tack this formidable enemy in the open plain. He 
lies waiting in ambush till a favourable opportunity 
offers for springing upon the buffalo ; when fixing 
his fangs in his throat, and striking his paw into 
the animal’s face, he twists round the head and pins 
him to the ground by the horns, holding him in 
that situation till he expires from loss of blood. 
The lion, while young and active, is very well able 
to support himself by hunting down the inhabitants 
of the forest. During this period of health and 
vigour, he continues in the midst of woods, very 
far removed from any human habitation, and sel- 
dom quits his retreat while able to subsist by his 
natural industry. But when he begins to grow 
old, and no longer able to take those lengthened 
