Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-10-11
HEREDITARY TASTES.
How They Cropped Out In Two CAREFUL y
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 descrip-
ton 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 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
were then fed on mush and milk, and,
as no meat was ever given them, their
natural instincts seemed to lie quito
dormant. They were gentle and play
ful, 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
we're 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 a 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 impassioned manner that
the camp was soon surrounded by the
enraged animals without, and a hideous
commotion lasted until daybreak.
That one night changed Leo and Juno
from playful and affectionate creatures
TO sulky brutes, only kept in subjec-
ton 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 moi
learn to distrust them was old Nanny
their foster-mother. One day she
punished them for playing too roughly
with her, by a sharp dose of butting
Unluckily, however, she INDUCED toe
long in that admonition, and suddenly
the two savages turned upon her. Ir
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, ant
raven where they would. Finally
through the negligence of some Beers
by whom they were sent to Pretoria
they escaped, and Leo was killed il
being recaptured. Juno probably di'
not enjoy her freedom long, as she ha,
on a strong collar which must hav
strangled her before she reached ma
turity. Youths Companion.