The African Lion, now driven from the coast, is scattered over the
interior. He measures from seven to nine feet in length, with a tail
about four, tufted at the point; the height at the shoulder from three
to five; but when he is newly whelped, his size does not exceed that
of a puppy dog, and it requires four, or according to some writers,
six years, till he attains his full stature. He lives to a great but
uncertain age; one in the Tower reached upwards of seventy years.
There are three varieties described; one of a deep yellowish brown;
the other of a lighter shade: and the Cape Lion, of which the mane is
nearly black. The appearance of the lion, from which he has derived
the title of the king of beasts, is majestic when at rest, but
terrible when roused. He has a broad face, surrounded with long shaggy
hair, and a flowing mane, increasing in length as his years advance,
adorns his neck.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: LLAMA.]