362 
CA RNIVORE S. 
to the dark colour of the tips of the hair, was almost black, while the other was 
reddish-yellow. The skin of the female cub was also of a light colour. Now I 
firmly believe that the two male cubs would have grown up, the one into a dark- 
skinned, black-maned lion, the other into a yellow lion, with but little mane; and 
further than this, I believe that the two pairs of males I have mentioned above 
were cubs of the same litters, and have been hunting in couples since their 
cubhood.” These observations, which have been supplemented by others made on 
captive specimens, may be considered to definitely settle the question as to the 
specific unity of all African lions. 
In spite, however, of the impossibility of specifically distinguishing between 
lions of different coloration, or between those inhabiting different regions of the 
country, it seems quite probable that the lions of one district may differ to a 
certain extent in some respects from those of another. Thus it seems pretty well 
ascertained that the lions from the Cape and Algeria have, collectively, larger and 
finer manes than those from other districts. Moreover, Gordon Cumming states 
that the manes and coats of lions inhabiting open, treeless districts, like the great 
Kalahari desert of South Africa, are fuller and handsomer than in those inhabiting 
forest districts. It has hence been considered that the manes of forest-dwelling 
lions are reduced in thickness by being torn by thorns and bushes. This theory 
is, however, considered untenable by Mr. Selous, who states that the lions of the 
open plateaux of Matabeleland and Mashonaland, where scarcely a thorn-bush is to 
be seen, exhibit every degree of variation in regard to the length and colour of 
their manes, and that a similar variation holds good for the Tati country, which is 
thickly covered with thorn-jungle. The variation in the length of the mane seems, 
therefore, at present not accounted for. 
Before leaving this subject, it may be mentioned that, according to the 
experiences of the hunter from whom we have already so largely quoted, that 
wild lions—at least in the districts over which he shot—never have such long and 
heavy manes or such good coats as the majority of those met with in European 
menageries. Moreover, while all the wild lions with good manes, which came 
under the notice of Mr. Selous, had a small tuft of hair on the elbow and another 
in the armpit, none were seen with the fringe of long hair along the middle of the 
under-surface of the body, which is so universally present in maned menagerie 
lions. “ I do not say,” observes Mr. Selous, “ that cases do not occur of wild lions 
becoming equally hairy; but they must be very rare, otherwise I should have met 
with some amongst the large number of skins I have seen. The coat of the wild 
lion is very short and close, whilst that of lions kept in this country becomes very 
much longer, and usually of a redder colour than the pale yellow or silvery-grey 
hue of the wild animal. I could pick out the skin of a menagerie lion from 
amongst a hundred wild ones. Climate and regular feeding must, I think, have 
a good deal to do with the luxuriant growth of mane invariably to be observed in 
lions in confinement.” As our pictures and figures of lions are almost invariably 
taken from such captive specimens, it is obvious that an exaggerated idea of the 
size and beauty of the mane is commonly current. 
The literature relating to the habits of lions is so extensive that 
the great difficulty an author has to contend with is in determining 
Habits. 
