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Show another the prevalent dry phase. But it is absurd to assume that the evolution of these seasonal phases is already perfect and complete over the whole globe, and to speak of the occurrence of wet and dry phases at any season as " very remarkable " ; as a matter of fact, it would be more remarkable if they never did occur simultaneously. 3. The Prey of the Lion. By Capt. R i c h a r d C r a w s h a y , F.Z.S. [Received June 3, 1904.] Prevailing opinion is so often at variance with my own experience on the question of the prey of the Lion, that I venture to offer a few remarks on those experiences covering a period of many years' travel and residence in Central Africa. It is generally believed that the Lion is a fastidious feeder, eating only what he has himself killed in the shape of the larger mammals. I have not found the Lion by any means particular in confining himself to his own kills, or in disposing of carrion when in tolerably good condition. As to his prey being only the larger mammals, this is not invariably the case, for I am able to establish one instance at least of his preying on the Porcupine. Mr. Selous has it on record that a Lion has eaten the skin of a Sable Antelope preserved with arsenical soap as a natural history specimen. Nothing as remarkable as this has occurred within my own knowledge, but I have known a great many instances of Lions feeding on carrion of my own killing, such as the carcases of Elephants on several occasions. The main purpose of my note is to exhibit two Porcupine-quills taken from the left fore-paw of a Lion-the skull, skin, and claws of which I also exhibit. This Lion was shot by myself two days' journey N.W. of Kibwezi, East Africa Protectorate, in March 1898. Three quills were found in the paw, one of which I regret has since been lost. The two exhibited measure each approximately 1 inch in length. The cartilage in which the quills were embedded showed no inflammation, so it can be inferred that these at first most painful inflictions must have been there for a considerable time. There is no reason for supposing this Lion killed the Porcupine under the impulse of hunger, because the country teemed with game of all kinds-from rhinoceros, zebra, and ostriches, to vast numbers of antelope, large and small. My Ahenga, when I questioned them as to whether they knew otlier instances of Lions preying on such small game as Porcupines, seemed amused, and replied :-" Oh, indeed ! even field rats : they tear them out of the ground with their claws " ! The larger mammals, no doubt, form the Lion's chief prey- Buffalo more especially, when these abounded ; but, as can be seen, there are times when even small rodents are in requisition. 144 CAPT. II. CRAWSIIAY ON THE PREY OF THE LION. [June 7, |