The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-02
MIR. CONKLING,s PETS.
The Young WheIps of the African Desert
thnt Reposc In the Central Park.


The twin lions in Mr.. Conkling's nursery
In the Central Park were but three weeks old on
Tuesday last. They are called Romulus and
Remus, and lie In a cradle OF straw, suckled by
an animal of the wolf genus, u watchdog Of the
mensgerio, a large, handsome half-breed mastf.
Her eight children were taken from her three
weeks ago. and the whelps of Jenny, the lioness,
after two or three days of starvation at their
mothers breast, were given to the dog.
Their lon-hko and un-canine odor startled
her, aud she gave the baoy lions some
severe cuffs, whereby the smaller one stlll
weeps with sore eye. After two or three days
the mother dog forgot that they were not pup.
pies. aud mas ever since carefully nursei and
The cubs are yet too young to eambol, but thes
night Justify for the best opportunities OF taking
their infantle food. Romulus who Is the
larger, Is always master, selhshy sending away
nnded by those frequent lights Tor the best
place. They are unaupreciative OF csresses and
move uneasiy about In their pen giving iaint
Hons roar, but their little giant paws show
long nails, and on the floor they walk rapidly
with soft, dragging, stealthy step.
Until they are three months old. they will be
allowed only infants food. by that time the
a set 81 teeth w be thu sa91Se are S
kept as long as possible on milk and long after
they quit eating flesh the mother dog will be
warmth. But were she not removed at meal
times they would without hesitation eat her
without conjunction. The whelps have soft,
short fur Of a tawny. yellow color, with dark
streak down the spine, and "A fat, taperinR tall.
Bred IN this latitude, young lions are tender
throughout infancy, but In teethinR they pass
two dangerous periods. AT about year old,
they shed their milk teeth, and at the cutting Of
tho secon1 set they meet a critical period, which
but "A small proportion Of hOns captive or wild,
survive. At four years OF age they are full
grown. They do not develop their reasoning
powers, said MIR. Conkling, before they cut the
second teeth. Romulus has all his incisoT aud
Is cutting his eye teeth. Remus has the lower
incisors and has two upper little front teeth.
Their brother, two years old, retaina the
name OF Baby Is in a cage by himself, and Is a
handsome creature. Their parents, Jenny and
Lincoln, are also In the menagerie, each alone,
and contented to be alone. Aside from slight
conjuR affection, they have no love for any
living being-beast or man-but their keeper.
At lis approach they rouse into emotional ac-
tivity, roar afectionately, with the softest voice
OF which lion Is capable. and rub their shaggy
heads ana shoulders against the bars OF the cage
In unmistakable delight when their friend and
master natters them with the playful oaresses OF
a stick.
Jenny Is not a loving mother" said tho keep
er She showed no regret for the Young, taken
from her Rt three days old, and seems TO be
without the maternal sentiment which some
lions have In small degree"
Lincoln Is said 10 be the handsomest lion In
America. He aud Jenny are seven years old
were captured In Africa, and purchased by a sea
captain, who brought them TO this country, sell
ing them TO New York city for 1850