मृगपक्षी-शास्त्र (हंसदेव - १३वीं शती का अमर भारतीय वन्यजीव, पक्षी एवं प्राणि-विज्ञान)

1st GROUP.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF LIONS.
There are 6 kinds of Lions. Some live in thick forests
and some in mountains. They differ in colours, qualities and
work. They have inborne strength. They have ample passion in rainy
season at 6th or 7 th year. Their passion increases either when
they think of lioness or see them at this season. They begin their
intercourse either in the caves or bushes by licking the body of
the sex, waving their tails and jumping with great roar with pleasure.
The lioness desire to enjoy the lions of the same age especially in
mid-nights. At the time of enjoyments, foam comes out from lioness
mouths and the period of enjoyment is fixed at three hours. After
the completion, the lioness get sound sleep, Then they become
pregnant. For some days the lions follow them. After pregnancy
their food or prey is decreased. Drousiness and wearis ome
increase day by day. They feel unable to face the heavy winds and hot
Sun. The period of their delivery is fixed at 9 to 12th month. Generally,
their delivery time is either at the end of Spring or at the begining
of Summer. At one pregnancy they give birth to 3 to 5 cubs. If the
cubs are borne in winter season they would be very feeble. After deli-
very, they become robust and strong. The cubs begin to suck their
mother's milk and play around their mother. In their 3rd or 4th
month, they begin to roar aloud and catch deer and fall upon
elephants and threaten other animals. They are fond of eating
smooth flesh of the deer and other animals. During their 2nd or 3rd
year, their youth begins. Their anger, strength and speed increase.
They appear to be terrible and fearce. At the time of hunger, anger
increases. They cannot be easily capturable. They do not know the
word "fear "from their birth. They are called King of animals.
Their kinds are described below: —