THE LION. 
15 . 
THE LION. 
What is the color of the Lion ? 
His color is yellowish red, which is deepest on the 
back, but grows paler along the sides and under the 
throat. 
What is his form ? 
The body of the Lion is long, but through the chest is 
very thick and strong. His legs are large, his face broad, 
his eyes and ears small, and his neck short. 
What can you say about his mane ? 
The breast, neck, and head of this animal are covered 
with long, thick and shaggy hair, which hangs down 
under.his throat like a beard. This is called his mane, 
and by this he is readily known from all other animals 
of the cat kind, for no other animal of this kind has a 
mane. 
Does the Lion look fierce and dangerous ? 
When the Lion is still, and not angry, he is a grave 
and noble looking animal, but when he is angry, no 
creature looks so terrific and powerful. He then lashes 
his sides with his tail, erects his mane so that it stands 
up like bristles, curls aside his lips, so as to show his 
monstrous teeth, while his eyes become so frightfully 
brilliant, as that sparks of fire seem to shoot from them. 
In what respects is the form of the Lion superior to that of most 
animals ? 
The Lion’s form is considered a perfect model of 
power and agility. His great head, short neck, round 
body, and thick legs all show immense strength, while 
the length of his body, and the strong cords of his legs, 
enable him to leap to a great distance. 
Where does this animal live ? 
This animal is found in Asia, Africa and India. In 
the hottest pails of these countries he arrives to his great¬ 
est size, and his rage and courage, as if inflamed by the 
burning sun, are most terrible and undaunted. 
What is the food of this animal 1 
The Lion lives entirely on such animals as he can 
overtake by his swiftness, or master by his strength, and 
his power is such that only a few animals can escape 
him. 
How does he seize his prey ? 
To be more sure of his prey, he hides himself near a 
spring, or some place where other animals come to 
drink, and when one comes near him, he gives a single 
bound, and seizes the poor trembling creature with his 
claws and teeth. In this way, he slays without mercy, 
the huge buffalo, the timid deer, and the beautiful ante¬ 
lope. 
What animals are there which the Lion dare not attack? 
The Lion, though called the king of beasts, is not 
master of every other animal. The trunk of the ele¬ 
phant, the horn of the rhinoceros, the teeth of the hip¬ 
popotamus, and the fangs of the royal tiger, are weapons 
which he does not like to meddle with. But all other 
beasts, whether wild, or tame, he can master, and will 
commonly destroy when he is hungry. 
Does he destroy every animal that comes within his reach ? 
This animal, though by nature fierce and destructive, 
is sometimes generous and even kind. When not hun¬ 
gry, he will let the smaller and weaker animals, go 
away without injury, as though he was too proud to 
destroy those who can make no defense against him. 
He has often been known to live in friendship and har¬ 
mony with a small dog, and to give him a part of his 
meat, even when he was hungry himself. 
