1. The lion is often called the "king of beasts," His height varies from
three to four feet, and he is from six to nine feet long. His coat is of
it yellowish brown or tawny color, and about his neck is a great shaggy
mane which gives his head a majestic appearance.
2. The strength of the lion is so great that he can easily crush the
skulls of such animals as the horse or ox with one blow of his paw. No one
who has not seen the teeth of a full grown lion taken out of their sockets
can have any idea of their real size; one of them forms a good handful,
and might easily be mistaken for a small elephant's tooth.
3. The home of the lion is in the forests of Asia and Africa, where he is
a terror to man and beast. He generally lies concealed during the day, but
as darkness comes on he prowls about where other animals are accustomed to
go for food or drink, and springs upon them unawares, with a roar that
sounds like the rumble of thunder.
4. The lion sometimes lives to a great age. One by the name of Pompey died
at London, in the year 1760, at the age of seventy years. If taken when
young the lion can be tamed, and will even show marks of kindness to his
keeper.
5. In a menagerie at Brussels, there was a cell where a large lion, called
Danco, used to be kept. The cell happened to be in need of repair, and the
keeper, whose name was William, desired a carpenter to come and mend it.
The carpenter came, but was so afraid of the lion, that he would not go
near the cell alone.
6. So William entered the cell, and led the lion to the upper part of it,
while the other part was refitting. He played with the lion for some time;
but, at last, being wearied, both he and the lion fell asleep. The
carpenter went on with his work, and when he had finished he called out
for William to come and see it.
7. He called again and again, but no William answered. The poor carpenter
began to be frightened, lest the lion had made his dinner of the keeper,
or else crushed him with his great paws. He crept round to the upper part
of the cell, and there, looking through the railing, he saw the lion and
William sleeping side by side as contentedly as two little brothers.
8. He was so astonished that he uttered a loud cry. The lion, awakened by
the noise, stared at the carpenter with an eye of fury, and then placing
his paw on the breast of his keeper, as if to say, "Touch him if you
dare," the heroic beast lay down to sleep again. The carpenter was
dreadfully alarmed, and, not knowing how he could rouse William, he ran
out and related what he had seen.
9. Some people came, and, opening the door of the cell, Contrived to
awaken the keeper, who, rubbing his eyes, quietly looked around him, and
expressed himself very well satisfied with his nap. He took the lion's
paw, shook it kindly, and then retired uninjured from the cell.
DEFINITIONS.--l. Ma-jes'tic, royal, noble. 3. Prowls, wanders in search of
prey. Un-a-wares', unexpectedly. Rum'ble, a low heavy sound. 5.
Men-ag'er-ie, a collection of wild animals. 6. Re-fit'ting, repairing. 8.
He-ro'-ic, bold.
EXERCISES.--Describe the lion's appearance. What is said of his strength?
His teeth? Describe the lion's home and habits. To what age do lions live?
Can they be tamed? Relate the story about the lion Danco.