Enter a name, company, place or keywords to search across this item. Then click "Search" (or hit Enter).
Volume 3 (1858-1859) (592 pages)
Go to the Archive Home
Go to Thumbnail View of this Item
Go to Single Page View of this Item
Download the Page Image
Copy the Page Text to the Clipboard
Don't highlight the search terms on the Image
Show the Page Image
Show the Image Page Text
Reset View and Center Image
Zoom Out
Zoom In
Rotate Left
Rotate Right
Toggle Full Page View
Flip Image Horizontally
More Information About this Image
Get a Citation for Page or Image - Copy to the Clipboard
Go to the Previous Page (or Left Arrow key)
Go to the Next Page (or Right Arrow key)
Page: of 592
CALIFORNIA ANIMALS. 7
will be observed, bear no resemblance to
the horse. A most striking peculiarity of
the California Bucks, and one which has
doubtless been observed by hunters, is
their savage disposition after being wounded. After being pursued for hours, and
arrested at length by a bullet, they turn
suddenly upon their pursuers, and make
desperate battle. This movement on
their part, as may be imagined, generally
creates considerable excitement; still as
it is never resorted to until a leaden messenger has been felt, the gallant bearing
of the animal is of but short duration.
The venison of California is pronounced
the finest in the world.
THE
id
With all her wonders, there are few
persons at a distance who will be willing
to believe that California produces an
animal like that represented in the above
engraving; yet, strange and remarkable
as it may appear, itis true. A veritable
Lion, of which the above is a correct
sketch, is found within the limits of our
State. Hence, we choose to refer to it as
the California Lion. We have seen one
of them, and a splendid fellow he was,
too. In point of size, strength, or beauty,
we hesitate not to pronounce the California Lion equal, if not superior, to’any that
we have ever met in the famous menageries of the Atlantic States. It will be
observed that they differ greatly in appearance from the Lions of other countries, resembling more the ferocious tiger
of the old world.
LION.
’ :
A gentleman who passed through the
northern portion of the State in the fall
of ’50, describes a fight which he witnessed between a Grizzly Bear and Lion.
. Upon facing each other, the Bear showed
signs of distress, and commenced “ backing out.” The Lion at the same time
drew himself forward very cautiously,
until within ten or fifteen feet of his adyersary, when coiling his tail under his
body, he made a spring, with a hissing
noise. He missed his object, but suddenly gathering his energies, he made a
second leap, landing full upon the Bear’s
back. The result of the struggle soon
became apparent. The Bear fought with
desperation, but was finally compelled to
yield beneath the huge jaws of his antagonist. The fight lasted about half an
hour. The Lion was considerably bruised.