THE LION, 65

years, but instances are recorded of their attaining a much
greater age.

Many naturalists contend that there is a distinction be-
tween the African and Asiatic lion, but this is denied by
Buffon and Cuvier, though many modern writers state that
the African lion is larger, more graceful in form, of a darker
colour, and with a less abundant mane. It was from Africa
that the Romans procured the prodigious numbers of these
noble animals, which they exhibited in their public spec-
tacles. Quintus Sceevola is said by Pliny to have shown a
combat of lions for the first time in Rome; Sylla, the dic-
tator, exhibited a hundred; Pompey the Great no less than
six hundred, in the grand circus; and Cesar four hundred.
Mark Antony appeared in the streets of Rome in a chariot
drawn by these noble but dangerous creatures. The con-
querors of the world seem truly to have held a control over
the king of beasts, with which we cannot compete, for the
miserable exhibitions of modern times appear generally to .
have a fatal termination.

It is very evident that the lion formerly abounded in
Palestine, some places, indeed, deriving their name from
these animals, such as Lebaoth and Beth-lebaoth; that they
are not now met with is no matter of surprise, as many wild

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