DURING the forty years of the National Zoological Park's
existence there have been fifty-one lions in the collec-
tion, some on short loans, others as permanent deposits.
Thirteen years for one and fifteen and a half years for
another constitute the records for longevity. The lion
attains maturity at about five years of age. At eight he
is in the prime of life, and after that steadily declines.
It is interesting to note that at the zoo in Dublin, famous
for its success in raising lions, the record for longevity
in a female is eleven years.

Nineteen baby lions have been born in the National
Zoological Park. Unfortunately, a number of these sprang
from very poor stock. Caste exists among lions as in
other animals, and for a number of years ours were
distinctly "low brow." However, the mayor and citizens
of Johannesberg in South Africa presented to President
Coolidge a pair of cubs, and these are growing up into
magnificent lions.

One of Mr. Blackburne's fondest memories of animals
centers about the first lion that ever came to the National
Zoo. He tells the story of that magnificent animal here:

Our first lion, a male, was purchased from Mrs. Susan
E. Bebout of Alderson, West Virginia, September 12,
1891. He was then about one year old and a very fine and
tame specimen. He had had the liberty of the lower
floor of his owner's house. Windows were protected by
iron bars, as the neighbors had protested against his
presence and were quite uneasy regarding their safety.

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