The Arizona sentinel., 1888-10-13
HEREDITARY TASTES.
How They Cropped Out in Two Carefully
 Trained Lion Cubs.

How They Cropped Out in Two Carefully
 Trained Lion Cubs.
 Among the most interesting of scien- tific observations is that of hereditary tastes, as they crop out in animals fostered under training different from that to which nature consigns them. A traveller in Africa gives, in Days and Nights by the Desert" a descrip- tion of the growth and development of two lion cubs, which fell into his hands when they were about the size of six months old kittens:
 For two days after their capture and the death of their mother, the little creatures would eat nothing, but on the third day they were sufficiently reduced by hunger to devour a quart of milk thickened by meal. Among the camp followers was an old nanny-goat, whose kid had recently been killed, and after many failures, and a great fright on the part Of both foster-parent and babies, the little lions were induced to milk her, to their great satisfaction. At first, Nanny was securely tied while this ceremony was performed, but she soon became very fond of her nurslings, and would lick and dress their coats with the greatest assiduity.
 The lions grew very rapidly, and the time soon came when the goat could no longer satisfy their appetites. They fol q lly as no meat was ever given them, their natural instincts seemed to lie quite dormant. They were gentle and play full, on good terms with man and beast, and when allowed to accompany the camp on the march, could be trusted to follow without being tied in any way. One night, however, when they were about as large as spaniels, wild lion invaded the camp and carried of a goat in the darkness. Several com panions evidently joined him to sup on the victim, and for some time fearful yelling and roaring was kept up. close to the camp itself.
 Leo and Juno, the pet lions, had previously slept peacefully from dark till daylight. Now, however, they be- gan answering the cries of their rela- tive in so impassioEed a manner that the camp was soon surrounded by the enraged animals without, and hideous commotion lasted until daybreak. That one night changed Leo and Juno from playful and affectionate creatures to sulky brutes, only kept in subjec- tion by confinement and the whip. They seemed, at one step, to have gained all the attributes of their race. Whenever horse or OK approached the spot where they were chained they crouched low, while their eyes glared with desire of carnage.
 The one creature who could not learn to distrust them was old Nanny, their foster-mother. One day she punished them for playing too roughly with her, by sharp dose of putting. Unluckily, however, she indulged too long in that admOnition, and suddenly the two savages turned upon her. In an instant her neck was broken and large piece torn from her hind quar- ters. After this the lions were trans formed into blood-seeking animals. They slept by day, and at night paced their cage in agony to be free, and raven where they would. Finally, through the negligence of some Boers, by whom they were sent to Pretoria, they escaped, and Leo was killed in being recaptured. Juno probably did not enjoy her freedom long. as she had on strong collar which must have strangled her before she reached ma- turity.-Youth'S COmpGniOn.