Owing to the circumstance that the measurements of lions are frequently taken 
from skins, exaggerated notions of the length attained by large males have obtained 
currency. Mr. Blanford states that a male—presumably an Indian specimen— 
measured 8 feet 10 inches from the tip of the muzzle to the tip of the tail; 2 feet 
11 inches of this being occupied by the tail alone. Mr. Selous, writing of South 
African lions, observes that “ the following are the lengths of the pegged-out skins 
of six full-grown males shot by myself, and carefully measured with a tape-line:— 
viz., 10 feet 3 inches, 10 feet 6 inches, 10 feet 9 inches, 10 feet 10 inches, 9 feet 7 
inches, and 11 feet 1 inch. These are the lengths of the skins after being pegged 
out and stretched out to a certain extent. However, after having flayed it, I 
358 CARNIVORES. 
a single stripe of similar tint along the middle of the back. In certain lights more 
or less faintly marked spots may be observed in many lions nearly or quite up to 
the period of maturity; these markings, as a rule, being more conspicuous in females 
than in males. The mane of the male does not make its appearance till the animal 
is about three years of age, and continues to grow until the age of about six years. 
Although the full length of the period of a lion’s life does not appear known, it 
has been ascertained that they will live to thirty, and it is said even till forty years. 
THE CAPE MANED LION. 
