86 
THE LION. 
Okovango,” “ I on one occasion dined off steak 
au lion, and found it very palateable and juicy, not 
unlike veal, and very white.” 
In Northern* as in Southern Africa, lion’s flesh 
is eaten by the natives, though in the former rather 
I believe as a charm. In Algeria, according to 
Gerard, special value is set upon the heart of the 
animal, which is chopped into small pieces, and 
given to the children “ to make them strong and 
courageous.”! cc A lock of hair plucked from the 
mane of the beast, and worn about the person, 
is an amulet which will, it is believed, render the 
wearer unconquerable in battle.” 
But, after all, why should not the flesh of the 
lion be both eatable and nutritious ? Mr. Charles 
Darwin writes me that that of the puma, which he 
once partook of, is very palateable, whence he infers 
that the lion’s may not be bad-tasted. Then again Mr. 
Lloyd, in his “ Scandinavian Adventures,” Yol. II. 
page 7, says :— 66 The flesh of all the tiger tribe is, 
in England, considered the worst of carrion; but 
* “These Arabs,” says Bruce, when speaking of a certain tribe 
on the frontiers of Algiers and Tunis, “ are immensely rich, paying 
no tribute either to Tunis or Algiers. The pretence for this ex¬ 
emption is a very singular one. By the institution of their founder 
they are obliged to live upon lions’ flesh for their daily food, as far 
as they can procure it; with this they strictly comply, and in con¬ 
sideration of the utility of this their vow, they are not taxed, like 
other Arabs, with payments to the State. The consequence of this 
life is, that they are excellent and well-armed horsemen, exceedingly 
bold and undaunted hunters.” 
f Hence possibly the old saw, “wine is composed of women’s 
tougues and lions’ hearts, for if a man partakes of a few glasses of 
the generous liquor he will talk for ever, and if needs be, fight the 
devil himself.” 
