THE LION. 
Felis leo. 
Plate III. 
Lions appear to vary considerably both in form and color, according to the regions in which they live, but 
so far from these variations being permanently distinctive, there seems to be little doubt of the perfect specific 
identity of the Lions of Africa and Asia. The latter, especially those of Guzerat, were at one time 
supposed to be always maneless, but a male, imported direct from the Euphrates, and at present living in the 
Society’s Menagerie, far from being maneless, is quite as profusely furnished with that ornament as any of 
the African specimens, of which a very large number have now been observed in captivity. 
The celebrated sportsman, Major Sir W. C. Harris, who was equally well acquainted with the Lion of India 
and Africa, had no faith in the existence of the “maneless Lion of Guzerat.” But it seems difficult to 
believe that Capt. Walter Smee, who brought the subject before the notice of the Zoological Society in 1833, 
and contributed an excellent figure and description of this variety to the first volume of the Society’s 
“ Transactions,” can have been altogether mistaken. “ This Lion,” says Capt, Smee, “ is distinguished from 
those previously known by the absence of a mane from the sides of the neck and shoulders, the middle line of 
the back and neck being alone furnished with longer hairs, which are erect like those in the same situation of 
the Hunting Leopard {Felis jiibatci). The under surface of the neck has long loose silky hairs, and there is a 
tuft at the ancle of the fore legs. Besides the absence of the extensive mane, the tail is shorter than that of 
ordinary Lions, and is furnished at its tip with a much larger brush or tuft,” Capt. Smee’s description was 
based upon eleven specimens which he killed during a month’s residence near Alunedabad. He states that 
they are common in this district, inhabiting, during the hot season, the low bushy plains that skirt the 
Bhardur and Sambermutta rivers, and extending through a range of country about forty miles in length. 
Hr. A. H. Layard also seems to allude to the occurrence of this Lion in Mesopotamia, as, speaking in his well- 
known work on Nineveh, of Lions seen on the river Karoon with a long black mane, he states that the 
inhabitants “ make a distinction between them and the common maneless Lion.” On the other hand. Sir \Y. 
Cornwallis Harris in his “Portraits of the Game and Wild Animals of South Africa,” tells us as follows: — 
“In point of size and complexion the South African Lion ditfers in no respect from that found so 
abundantly in Guzerat, one of the only two provinces of India wherein the species exists, measuring usually 
between ten and eleven feet in extreme length, and varying in hue betwixt ash-color and tawny dun, but 
generally possessing a more elaborate and matted mane; which peculiarity is attributable, in a great measure, 
to the less jungly character of the country that he infests, and to the more advanced age to which, from the 
comparatively small number of his mortal foes, he is suffered to attain. In India the Lion is often compelled 
to establish himself in heavy jungles, which comb out a considerable portion of the long loose silky hairs 
about his head and neck; but this is seldom the case in the arid plains of Africa, where the covert being chiefly 
restricted to the banks of rivers, or to isolated springs, he rests satisfied with a less impervious shade, and is 
often disturbed from a clump of rushes barely large enough to conceal his portly figure.” 
Neither do recent observers in Guzerat and the adjoining territory confirm the present existence of the 
“Maneless Lion” in those countries. But the fact is that owing to the ceaseless war of extermination waged 
against him by the British sportsman, the Lion has, we believe, very considerably decreased in numbers in 
Western India, and is becoming quite a rare animal. 
Lions vary in color from a deep red brown to a pale silvery gray, so pale that a rumour once was current 
at the Cape of the existence of a race of white Lions in the far interior. The deep red variety is rare. The 
black-maned Lions of Natal are perhaps the most magnificent of all, but extremely fine animals exist in 
Ashantee on the west coast, and in Barbary on the north. Many specimens of the Nubian race have been 
received by the Society, but they are almost always deficient in the under mane, which in the Babylonian and 
Cape varieties runs completely along the under side and flanks, and adds immensely to the grandeur and 
massive appearance of the animal. 
The Lion, from whatever country, bears captivity with resignation, and preserves its health, with ordinary 
precaution, for many years. Many whelps have been produced in this country, both in the travelling 
Menageries and in the Society’s collection. One of the latest litters afforded an opportunity of making the 
characteristic study here published. 
