14 
THE LION. 
proached the Douar * which they propose despoiling, 
and when their appetites are satisfied they recom¬ 
mence roaring and continue until daylight. 
66 The lion, when alone, also roars on leaving his 
den, and it often happens that he continues doing 
so until he reaches the Douar. 
“ In the Summer, during the great heats, the 
lion roars less, and sometimes not at all; but in the 
pairing season be makes ample amends for lost time.” 
‘‘When the lion roars” says General Dumas, 
“ people pretend one may readily distinguish the 
following words : — 6 Alma on ben el mera , 5 that is 
‘I and the son of the woman.’ Moreover, that he 
repeats twice c ben el mera,’ but c Alma 5 only once, 
from which they conclude he dares not recognise 
auy other creature than man besides himself.” 
The natives of parts of South Africa, it is 'to be 
remarked, assert they can readily distinguish be¬ 
tween the roar of a hungry lion, or one intent on 
mischief, and that of a lion whose appetite is al¬ 
ready appeased. When the beast is hungry, his 
roar, they say, is dull and stifled ; but when, on the 
contrary, his belly is full, it is rather loud. 
Moffatt testifies to the like effect. “ As we were 
retiring to rest one night ”—writes the Missionary, 
* Arab village, or rather encampment, as there, nomad people are 
constantly on the move from one locality to the other, in accordance 
with the season of the year, and the state of the pasturage, &c. 
The Douar” usually consists of from ten to fifteen tents pitched 
in a circular form; and in the Winter time, at least, is commonly 
situated on the western slope of a hill—the whole being surrounded 
by a high and strong fence—with a single opening for the people 
and cattle. 
