Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 12.djvu/340

* LION. 304 LION. ■would greatly decrease or starve were it not for the large lierds of half-wild pigs that range the oak forests east of the Persian Gulf. In Africa their great numbers were correlative with the hordes of game with which that continent was frequently overrun, and the disappearance (jf this game means the doom of the "king of Ijea^ts.' un- less cattle replace the wild grazers. The ele- phant, rhinoceros, and hippopotamus are be- yond its powers, and the buffalo is able to resist a single lion, as a rule, though frequently pulled down by two or three acting in concert. The larger antelopes and equine animals are the lion's natural and constant prey, and it seems to prefer the latter — the zebras and wild asses. These animals, however, keep in the open plains, are quick to perceive and swift to escape in- tended attack, and in the days when game was abundant most lions fed mainly on antelopes. Even here, however, they had not always an easy victim. Schulz, who gives an unusual amount of information as to the Central African lion in his yew Africa, says that this beast does not dare attack roan and Harris's antelopes in his usual manner, a leap from behind to the haunches, "for with their backward sweeping horns they are able to make things lively for any lion foolish enough to make the attempt. These, with hornless game, such as the quagga, they seize by the nose." The method of attack has been described in so many ways by creditable hunters and native obser^'ers, that it is evident no one method ex- ists, but if the first lightning-like leap and over- bearing stroke does not crush the animal, the nose may be seized in a paw and the head jerkeJ back, breaking the neck ; or the great blood-ves- sels of the throat may be gnawed open, or the animal simply be mauled to death. It is cus- tomary for the lion, like other great cats, to carry or drag its prey into a thicket or near its lair before feeding upon it, and under the excite- ment of being disturbed and chased it is capable of extraordinary feats of strength in so doing, but these seem to have been exaggerated. That he can drag a large animal a considerable dis- tance is undoubted. Having killed his prey, he eats at once what he wants of it. If other lions have helped him. they get what they are able to take. When they are satisfied, any lioness or young lions near by get svich shares of what remains as their agility and courage enable them to seize. Wherever settlements are made in a district infested by lions, these animals profit by raids upon domestic animals; and the scarcer the wild prey becomes, and the more familiarity the linns acquire with man and his ways, the more harm they do. Few fences or stockades are effective against them. The next step is the habit of occasional or persistent preying upon humanity. How the lion of the wilderness behaves in the presence of man depends upon such a diversity of circumstances, and so varies with individuals, that it is not safe to generalize. If he is not hungry and has a free wa5' for retreat, he will very likely rvin when a man is met: but he may charge on the instant. A few brought to bay have been known to cower, but the majority fight for life bravely. Occasionally certain lions, like tigers, get into the habit of deliberately seeking human flesh. They are often old. weakened ones, no longer capable of hunting well, hut sometimes are individuals, wiser than the ordinary, who have learned that humanity is the easiest pos.sible ])rey. Such animals must be got rid of, and in Africa large parties are organized to hunt theui down and kill them — an achievement rarely ai- coniplislied without further loss of human life. The hunting of lions is done nowadays almo>i altogether on foot, by lj"ing in wait at" night at their drinking-places, or by seeking them by day in their lairs. The literature of sport in Africri. Persia, and India abounds in thrilling tales ni adventures thus encountered. 'arious traps hav.- always been used for their capture, the most sue cessful of which is the pitfall, and by this meaii- principally were captured the great numljei - of lions familiar to the civilized people of an tiquity. This imposing animal, we are told, makes its appearance in art and literature very early, i'requent mention is made of it in the cuneiform tablets and Hebrew Scriptures. In the so-called >Song of Pentaur, describing the war of Kameses 11. against the Cheta, lions are said to have ac- companied the King's chariot. They were kept i in all the Konian cities for the public sports, j and hundreds were sometimes provided for the ; entertainment of the populace in a single series] of games. They were pitted against each other, or some other great beasts, but mainly they were I matched against the "bestiarii' or professional I animal-killers of the arena. So great and lasting was the demand for this purpose that the supply' became scanty, and the Emperor Honorius, in the( fifth century, enacted laws prohibiting the killingj of African lions. Under this protection they so| increased and became so bold in their destruction! of villagers and cattle, that .Tustinian was com- pelled to rescind the edict. Extraordinary stories^ are told of the degree of tamability and educa- tion reached by some of these ancient lions, but they should be received with distrust. The kit- tens are playful, gentle, and affectionate, and some adults are docile, subdued, and even seem to care for their teachers, but none is really trustworthy; all must be kept in subjection by fear, and their acquired intelligence is ver^- small. The tricks and performances which the trained beasts of the menagerie go through are usually very simple when analyzed. Lions withstand captivity well, however, and finer specimens have probably been reared in zoiilogical gardens than ever were seen in the wilderness. They breed readily, even in traveling menageries, and few if any now exhibited were not born in captivity. For the Asiatic lion, consult authorities men- tioned under Tigeb. See Colored Plate of Feud.e. HlBLioGRAPiiY. Standard works, but all pre- vious to 1,S8.5 should be read with caution: the best account will be found in the Royal Xatural fjistori/ (London. 18!I5: New York, as the Xeio Xaliir'al History, about 1898). Porter's Wild lirasls (Xow York. 1894) has a very complete and judicious summary of the animal's biography. For the African lion and its hunting, consult the writings of many missionary travelers and hunt- ers, especially Livingstone; Moffat. M isnionary Labors and Scenes in l?outh Africa (London, 184.5) : Gerard, La chasse au lion el les autres citasses de I'Algerie (Paris, 1854) ; Andersson,- I'he lAon and the Klrphant (London, 1873) ; hake y garni (London, 18.56): Daumas, Les cherattx du Sahara (Paris. 18.51) : Gordon-Cum- ming, A llunter'^ Life in Africa (Xew York,