Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-01-31

|. La Iucur de Lions. Par Jules Gerard.
Paris: 1855. l. La ChdSSe au Lion ct les
rutreS CAaSSe dc EAlgerie.--
Par Jules Gerard. Paris: 1854.
We know very little about lions, consider
ing our centuries OF observation and the
abundant examples on which that obscrva-
ton has beer exercised; and the reason is
that we have known the lion only in captivi-
ty, under very deceptive circumstances
Even travellers and naturnlists. perfectly
aware Of the TACT that he belongs to the
feline race, describe him as if the broad day.
light, and rot the stormy midnight were his
element and because sometimes II Traveller
has fonnd himself in daylight face to face
with halfseery lion moving from his couch
on account OF the flies in the SUI, and be-
cause this lion in state Of beatiic digestion
(haying the night before devoured an OK
does not smte the traveller TO the earth, the
idea Of his magnnnimty aud generosity have
become circulated, OF because in this state
it generally declines combat, especially if
fired al, the idea Of his cownrdce has also
gained acceptance. Had naturaists studied
this majestic animal in the mountain gorGes
from twilight until dawn, had they watched
him coming to drink at the stream, or in the
forests when the moon has risen, or dashing
among the tents when beef will not satisfy
his cpicurean taste eager for man ilesh,--in Il
word, had they watched him. as Gerard has,
rife in hand, lonely, with the intense euger-
ness Of hunter whose life depends upon his
mnutest observation being accurate, We
should have another conception Of the lion
from that to he derived by study Of books
or inspection of menagerics. jules Gerard.
whom the French with just pride surname
lie Tueur de Lions has given in two
works placed at the head of this paper, the
result of his observations, and the recital OF
his encoulterers: works OF fascinating inter
est from which we propose TO condense few
details:
Let US first sketch the story Of the lions
life, beginning with his marriage, which takes
place towards tAe end Of January. lie has
first to seek his wife; but as the males are
far more abundant than the females, who
are often cut ON in infancy. it is not rare to
find young lady pestered by the addresses
Of three or four galants, who quarrel with
the acerbity of jealous lovers. If one OF
them does not succeed in disabling or driving
away the others. Madam, impatient and dis
satisfied, leads them into the presence Of an
old lion, whose roar she has appreciated at a
distance. The lovers fy at him with the
fellow receives them with calm assurance,
breaks the neck of the first with his terrible
jaws, smashes the leg of the second and
tears out the eye of the third No sooner is
the day won, and the field clear, that the lion
tosses his name in the air as he roars, and
then couChes by the side of the lady, who,
as a reward for his courage. licks his wounds
caressingly. When two adult lions are ri.
vals. the encounter is more serious. An
Arab perched in tree one night, saw a
lioness followed by fawny lion with full
grown name; she lay down at the loot Of the
tree, the lion stopped on his path and seemed
to listen. The Arab then heard the distinct
growing of lion, which was instantly re.
piled to by the lioness under the treG.-This
| made her husband roar luricusly. The dis
taut lion was heard approaching, and as he
| came nearer the lioness roared louder, which
seemed to agitate her husband for he marched
| towards her as if to force her to be silent
| and then sprang back TO his old post, roaring
| defiance at his distant rival. This continued
| for about an hour when q black lion made biz
appearance on the plain. The loness ros'
as if to go towards him. But her husband
guessing her intention, bounded towards his
rival. The two crouehed and sprang on eaci
other, rolling on the grass in the embrace o
death. Their bones cracked, their flesh wat
torn, their cries of rage and agony rent tht
air, and all this time the lioness crouched
and wagged her tail slowly in sign Of salts
faction. When the combat ended, and boil
warriors we're stretched on the plain, sh,
rose, smelt them, satisfied herself that the,
were dead, and trotted Of. quite regardless 0
the uncomplmentary epithet which the indig
nant Arab shouted after her. This Gerar'
tells US. is an example Of the conjugal tideli
ty Of Milady; whereas the lion never quit
his wife. unless forced, and is quite patter
of conjugal attentions.
Our lion then is married, let us say. II
is the slave OF bis wife. 1t s she who alway
takes precedence when she stops he stops
On arriving at d0udr (the collection G
tents--what We call a "Vlllage') for thei
supper, she lies down while he leaps into tn
enclosure, and brings to her the booty. IL
watches her while she eats, taking care tha
no one shall disturb her and not until he
appetite is satisfied does he begin his mea
When ste fesls that she ia about 70 be