[Illustration] [Illustration: LION.] THE LION. The African Lion, now driven from the coast, is scattered over the interior. He measures from seven to nine feet in length, with a tail about four, tufted at the point; the height at the shoulder from three to five; but when he is newly whelped, his size does not exceed that of a puppy dog, and it requires four, or according to some writers, six years, till he attains his full stature. He lives to a great but uncertain age; one in the Tower reached upwards of seventy years. There are three varieties described; one of a deep yellowish brown; the other of a lighter shade: and the Cape Lion, of which the mane is nearly black. The appearance of the lion, from which he has derived the title of the king of beasts, is majestic when at rest, but terrible when roused. He has a broad face, surrounded with long shaggy hair, and a flowing mane, increasing in length as his years advance, adorns his neck. [Illustration] [Illustration: LLAMA.] THE LLAMA. The Llama of the New are analogous to the camel of the Old World, but smaller in size, being only about four feet four inches high at the shoulder. The dromedary is from five to seven. It is a native of the mountainous regions of South America. It has cloven hoofs, adapted for aiding its progress in hilly districts. It has no hunch on the back, but has one on the breast. Its color is a greyish-white, spotted. It is equally abstemious in its habits with the camel, and will travel four or even five days without seeking repose; but like the camel, it will not be forced to carry more or move faster than it chooses and will rather kill itself, by striking its head on the ground, than be driven forward by harshness or blows. In a wild state it is gregarious, but is easily domesticated, and is still used as a beast of burden. [Illustration] End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Alphabet of Quadrupeds, by Anonymous