Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-11-16
NATURAL HISTORY

african Lions The first number of the
Sout: .4frican Journal, published at the Cane
OF Good Hope, contains some very interesting
details respecting the lions of that country
ihe writer says that, beyond the limits of the
colony, they are accounted peculiarly fierce
and dangerous, and he thinks MIR. Barrow,s re-
presentations, that they are cowardy and treach-
erous, is conclusion drawn from limited -xpe-
rlence or inaccurate information. s:The prodi-
gious strength OF this animal (he observesl does
not appear to have been overrated. 1t is GER
tain that he drag the heaviest OK with ease.
a considerable way; and horse, heifer, harte-
beest, or lesser prey, he finds no difficulty i'm
throwing over his shoulder and carving off
10 any distance he may find convenient. have
myself witnessed an instance of a very youno
lion conveying horse about mile from the
spot where he had killed it; and a more extraor
binary case has been mentioned to me on good
authority, where lion, having carried off a
heifer OF two years old, was followed on the
track for i've hours above 80 English miles. by
party on horseback; and, throughout the whole
distance, the carcase of the heifer was only once
or twice discovered to have touched the ground
The Bechuano Chief, old Peyshow (now in Cape
iowD) conversng with me few days ago, said.
that the lion very seldom attacks man, if unpro
voked; but he Will frequently approach within a
few PAGES, and survey him steady and some
tunes he will attempt to get behind him, as if
he could not stand his look, but was.yet DESTROYS
In such circumstances attempts either to fight or
fly, he incurs the most imminent peril. but IL
he has sufficient presence of mind cooIly to con-
front him, without appearance of either terror
or aggression, the animal will, in almost every
instance, after little space, retire. The over
mastering effect of the human eye upon the lion
has been frequently mentioned, though much
doubted, by avellers; but, from my own maui
ries among lion hunters, am perfectly satisfied
of the iact and an anecdote related to me a
! tew days ago, by Major Macintosh, proves that
| this fascinating effect is not restricted TO the
lion. An officer III iniia, well Known to INV in
| ioI..:ent, having CHANGED to ramble into inn
| gle, suddenly encountered ROYAL Tvrer.-
The rencontre appeared equally unexpected
on both SIDES and both parties made dead halt.
earnestly gazing on each other. The gentleman
| had no firearms, and was aware that a sword
would be no effective defence in struggle for
life with such an antagonist. But he had heard
that even the Bengal Tiger might be sometimes
checked by looking him firmly in the face He
did so. In few minutes, the Tiger, which APP
peared prepared to make his final sprinp. GREW
disturbed SUNK aside, and attempted TO Green
round upon him behind. The officer turned con-
stantly upon the Tiger, which still continued to
shrink from his glance; but darting into the
thIcket, and again issuing forth in a different
quarter, 1T Perseyered for above half an hour in
this attempt to catch him by surprise; TILL at last
siCtucu COuleSt ana the gentle
man to pursuehis pleasure ,caiE.-The direction
he now took, as may be easily believed, was
straight to the tents, at a double quick timer
After relating several terrific stories of en-
counters with lions the writer concludes his ar
ticle with one not quite so fearful related by
Lucas Van Vuuen, to Wee Boor his neighbor
at the Bayians river. Eucus was riding across
the open plains about day-b break, and observing
a lion at distance, he endeavored to avoid him
by making circuit. Lucas soon perceived
that he was not disposed to let him pass without
further pariance, and that he was rapidly an
preaching to the encounter, and being without
ms roer, (TiHe) and otherwise little inclined to
any closer acquaintance, he turned off at right
angels-laId the sambok freely to his horses
flank, and galloped for life. The horse was far-
ged, and bore heavy on his back: the lion
vas fresh and furious with hunger, and came
down upon him like tbunderboltI In n Eovv
seconds nc overlook Lucas, and spring;noe I'M
behind HIM, brought horse and man in an instant
to the ground. Luckily the boor was unburt
and the lion was TOD eager in WORRYING the borse
to pay any immediate attention to the rider
" Hardly knowing himself how he escaped, he
contrIVed to scramble ont ofthe fray, and made
clean PAIR OF heels Of it till he reached the
next house. Lucus, who gave me the details of
thus adventure himself made no observations on
VI as beng any way remarkable except in the
circumstance of the lions audacity in pursuing
"Chrlstian mano without provocation in open
day! But what chiefly vexed him in the affair
was the loss of the sdddie. He returned next
day with party of friends to take vengeance
on his feline foes but both the lion and saddle had