(1) Different Names. Thus we have (t) gor, "a suckling," a lion's whelp, a very young lion (Gen. xlix:9; Deut. xxxiii :2o; Jer. li :38; Ezek. xix :2 ; Nahum ii :it, 12, CIC.). (2) Ke-phir', "the shaggy," a young lion, when first leaving the protection of the old pair to hunt independently (Ezek. xix :2, 3; Ps. xci :13 ; PrOV. XIX :12, CIC.).
(3) ar-ee', "the puller in pieces," an adult and vig orous lion, a lion having paired, vigilant and en terprising in search of prey (Nahum II:I2; 2 Sam. xvii :to; Num. xxiii :24). This is the com mon name of the animal. (4) Shdchal, "the roarer," a mature lion in full strength; a black lion (Job iv :to; x:16; Ps. xci :13 ; Prov. xxvi: 13; Hos. v :14; xiii :7). This denomination may very possibly refer to a distinct variety of lion, and not to a black species or race, because neither black nor white lions are recorded, excepting in Oppian (De renal.. iii:43); but the term may be safely referred to the color of the skin, not of the fur; for some lions have the former fair, and even rosy, while in other rates it is perfectly black. An Asiatic lioness, formerly at Exeter Change, had the naked part of the nose, the roof of the mouth, and the bare soles of all the feet pure black, though the fur itself was very pale buff. Yet albinism and melanism are not uncom mon in the felinx; the former occurs in tigers, and the latter is frequent in leopards, panthers, and jaguars. (5) La'yish, "the strong," a fierce lion, one in a state of fury (Job ; Prov. xxx: 3o; Is. xxx :6). (6) Labi-ah', "lowing," "roaring," hence a lioness (Job iv :t ), where the lion's whelps are denominated 'the sons of Labiah,' or of the lioness.
(2) Size. The lion is the largest and most for midably armed of all carnassial animals, the In dian tiger alone claiming to be his equal. One full grown, of Asiatic race, weighs above 450 pounds and those of Africa often above 5oo pounds. The fall of a fore paw in striking has been estimated to be equal to twenty-five pounds' weight, and the grasp of the claws, cutting four inches in depth, is sufficiently powerful to break the vertebrx of an ox. The huge laniary teeth and jagged molars workcd by powerful jaws, and the tongue entirely covered with horny papillx, hard as a rasp, are all subservient to an im mensely strong muscular structure, capable of prodigious exertion, and minister to the self-con fidence which these means of attack inspire. In
Asia the lion rarely measures more than nine feet and a half from the nose to the end of the tail, though a tiger-skin of which we took the ditnen sions was but a trifle less than thirteen feet. In Africa they are considerably larger, and supplied with a much greater quantity of mane. Both tiger and lion are furnished with a small horny apex to the tail—a fact noticed by the ancients, but only verified of late years, because this ob ject lies concealed in the hair of the tip and is very liable to drop off. All the varieties of the lion are spotted when whelps; but they become gradually buff or pale yellow. One African variety, very large in size, perhaps a distinct species, has a peculiar and most ferocious physiognomy, a dense black mane extending half way down the back, and a black fringe along the abdomen and tip of the tail ; while those of Southern Persia and the Dekkan are nearly destitute of that defensive ornament. The roaring voice of the species is notorious to a proverb, but the warning cry of attack is short, snappish, and sharp. Like all the felinx, they are more or less nocturnal, and sel dom go abroad to pursue their prey till after tunset. When not pressed by hunger, they are naturally indolent, and, from their habits of un controlled superiority, perhaps capricious, but often less sanguinary and vindictive than is ex pected.
(3) Monogamous. Lions are monogamous, the male living constantly with the lioness, both hunting together, or for each other when therc is a litter of whelps ; and the mutual affection and care for their offspring which they display arc remarkable in animals by nature doomed to live by blood and slaughter. It is while seeking prey for their young that they are most dangerous; at other times they bear abstinence, and when pressed by hunger will sometimes feed on car casses found dead. They live to more than fifty years; consequently, having annual litters of from three to five cubs, they multiply rapidly when not seriously opposed.