Lion

(li'ŭn.) [Fr., from L. leo.] (Zool.) The Felis leo, astro ng, fierce, and rapacious quadruped of the fam. Felidæ, sometimes called the king of beasts, from its combined activity, strength,and majesty of deportment(Fig. 447). Lions are now found only in unfrequented parts of Asia and Africa. They are about 8 feet from the nose to the rump,and have a tail about four feet; their color is a pale brown, or tawny yellow, and the male has a bushy mane. The male of the species known as Leo Goojratensis is, however, without a mane. The lion of Africa is the finest and most ferocious of the genus. Their muscular strength is prodigious; their roar and fiercene terrible; but, when brought up tame, and unused to attack and defence, they allow their keepers Fig.447.-LION. to play with them, and are often kind to small animals placed in their dens. The lione brings forth from three to four cubs at a birth, and suckles them for a year, at which time their color is a mixture of reddish and gray, with a number of brown bands. The male attains maturity in seven, and the female in six, years. The strength of the lion is such, that a single blow from his paw is sufficient to destroy most animals.-(Ast.) Same as LEO, q. v. [s. 547] IMG:p0592_0.jpg:Gravür