46 
THE LION. 
tlie cubs commence attacking the flocks of sheep 
and goats which, during the day-time, chance to 
approach the neighbourhood of their lair. Some¬ 
times they attack cattle; but they are still so in¬ 
experienced that it often happens they wound ten 
where they kill a single one; and the father, in 
this case, is necessitated to interfere. 
“ It is not until the young lions are two years old 
that they are able to slay a horse, an ox, or a camel 
by a single grasp of the jaws at the throat, and to 
leap over the fence, two metres in height, that 
surrounds the ‘ Douar.’ 
“ The period between the first and second year is 
truly ruinous to the inhabitants. In fact, the 
leonine family not only kill for their subsistence, 
but to acquire the art of killing. It is easy to un¬ 
derstand what such an apprenticeship must cost 
those who furnish the materials. 
“ At the age of three years the cubs leave the 
parents, that they may propagate their species; but 
it is not until their eighth year that they attain to 
their full growth. They have then acquired all their 
powers, and the males, who are one-third larger 
than the females, have full manes. 
“ Whilst the cubs are in their infancy the mother 
guards them with the tenderest care, and for their 
support is more daring and ferocious than usual; 
making excursions with greater boldness, and de¬ 
stroying every animal that falls in her way, which 
she afterwards carries to.her progeny.” 
By all accounts, moreover, the lion himself is 
never so much to be dreaded as when his, partner 
