RAVAGES OF THE LION IN ALGERIA. 
235 
saw several; and nearly every night they attempted 
to carry off our cattle. Nevertheless, their num¬ 
bers proved insufficient to fulfil their mission, as 
was exemplified by the fact that during the six 
successive days I journeyed before reaching the Yaal 
River my cattle were unable to find the least green 
herbage. This was in the winter time, when every¬ 
thing had been cropped off by the gnoos and 
quaggas, whose mouths and teeth had literally 
shaved the turf; and not an inch of ground was to 
be seen whereon there was not the impress of a 
foot. Indeed, where the soil was light and dry, 
their feet had so broken up the ground, that it 
almost resembled land under tillage. 55 
“ It follows, 55 Delegorgue goes on to say, cc that 
had there not been lions to diminish the number 
of granivorous wild animals, not only would the 
Caffirs have been unable to find pasture for their 
cattle, but the gnoos and quaggas—supposing 
that emigration had been denied them—would have 
perished in masses from inanition. 55 
Whatever may be the case in Southern Africa, 
in the Northern portion of that continent, in 
Algeria at least, the lion cannot surely be looked 
on as a benefactor; for although the number of 
those beasts in that country is supposed by 
Gerard not to exceed thirty, yet the ravages they 
commit amongst the cattle are something unheard 
of. It is calculated, indeed, as we learn from the 
same authority, c£ that in Algeria alone, the lion 
levies a tax on the Arabs ten times heavier than 
the tribute they pay to the French Government,. 
