3o8 wild beasts AND THEIR WA VS chap. 
which differs entirely from the slinking habits of 
tigers, leopards, and the feline race in general. 
Although the lion is fond of dense retreats, he 
exposes himself in many ways, which the tiger 
seldom or never does, unless compelled by a line of 
beaters. This exposure, or carelessness of conceal¬ 
ment, renders his destruction comparatively easy. 
On the other hand, the lioness brings forth a 
numerous family, generally five or six at a birth, 
which should keep up the number of the race; 
in spite of this prolific nature, the lion having 
from time immemorial been an attraction to the 
mighty hunter, man has proved too much for him. 
The Indian species is considerably smaller than 
the African variety, and the mane is seldom so dark in 
colour, or so shaggy. 
I have never seen any lion in confinement that 
conveys the same expression of bulk and massive 
strength as the wild animal. It would be difficult to 
compare the relative power of a lion with that of a 
tiger, as the animals differ in form and muscular 
development. I have never weighed a lion, but I 
feel convinced that a fine specimen would be heavier 
than an equally well selected example of a tiger, as 
the former is immensely massive, especially about 
the chest and shoulders. The head and neck are 
larger, although, when boiled and cleaned, the skull 
does not exceed in size that of an ordinary tiger. It 
may be safely stated that a lion which measures 9 ft. 
8 inches in length would weigh heavier than a tiger 
of the same dimensions. I have already described 
