THE STORY OF THE LION. 
“As bold as a lion” is the phrase most commonly used to express the 
highest order of courage, for by general consent the people of all countries 
have bestowed upon the lion the title of “King of Beasts.” Certainly no 
other animal is so noble and majestic in appearance. Its massive head, upon 
which, in the case of the male animal, there is usually a long, thick mane, the 
King’s Crown, as it were, its stout, thick legs and huge paws, together with the 
graceful formation of its body and sweeping tail, make it the most imposing' 
and splendid looking animal known to natural history. 
Of late years one authority has disputed the lion’s title of “King of 
Beasts.” Mr. F. C. Selous, the famous hunter, says that the lion does not 
carry its head as high as it should, and that it is lacking in many traits that 
we usually ascribe to a noble animal. Livingstone, the great explorer, declares 
that the lion is more correctly described as cowardly and mean than brave 
and noble, yet I know many instances where the lion has shown itself to> be 
the most courageous of animals. 
In common with the other large cats of the Old World, the lion has the 
pupil of the eye circular; but it is at once distinguished from all the.other 
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