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.  *. 


ENGRAVINGS 


OF 


LIONS,  TIGERS, 
PANTHERS,  LEOPARDS, 

DOGS,  &o. 


CHIEFLY  AFTER   THE   DESIGNS  OF 


SIR    EDWIN    LANDSEER, 

BY  HIS  BEOTHEE, 

THOMAS    LANDSEER, 


PRINTED   TEOM   TUB    ORIGINAL    PLATES    PVBLISUED   BETWEEN    1823   AND    1828. 


LONDON: 

HENRY     G.     BOHN,     YORK    STREET,    COVENT     GARDEN. 

MDCCCLIII. 


K4  5)758 


LIST    OF    PLATES. 


DESIGNER 

ENGRAVER 

1     Lion  couchant,  Frontispiece        

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

2     Leopard,  after  Eidinger      

SPILSBURY  

T.  Landseer 

3     Lions,  after  Eubens     

SPILSBURY  

T.  Landseer 

4    Tiger,  from  Nature      

SPILSBUHY  

T.  Landseer 

5     Leopards,  after  Eubens       

SPILSBURT  

T.  Landseer 

6     Contending  Group,  from  Nature        

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

7     Lion  and  Snake,  from  Nature     

SPILSBURY  

T.  Landseer 

8     Senegal  Lion  and  Lioness,  after  Ridinger 

SPILSBUHY  

T.  Landseer 

9     Lion  and  Tiger,  after  Stubbs      

SPILSBURT  

T.  Landseer 

10     Tigress,  from  Nature    

T.  LANDSEER     

T.  Landseer 

11     Lions,  after  Eubens     

SPILSBURY  

T.  Landseer 

12     Panthers,  after  Stubbs         

SPILSBUEY  

T.  Landseer 

13     Panthers,  after  Stubbs         

SPILSBUHY  

T.  Landseer 

14     Leopards  and  Panthers,  after  Stubbs         

SPILSBURY  

T.  Landseer 

15     Lions,  after  Eubens     

SPILSBURY  

T.  Landseer 

16     Lions,  after  Eubens     

SPILSBURY  

T.  Landseer 

17    Lioness  and  Bitch,  from  Cross's  Menagerie      

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

18     Lion,  after  Eidinger    

SPILSBUHY  

T.  Landseer 

19     Tiger  and  Indian  Bullock,  from  Nature     

EDWIN  LANDSEEH     ... 

T.  Landseer 

f  Senegal  Lion,  after  Eidinger      ^ 

20  <  Black-maned  Lion,  after  Eembrandt  \. 

SPILSBURY  

T.  Landseer 

(_  Lioness,  after  Eidinger      j 

21    Neptune,  a  Newfoundland  Dog  

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

22     Brutus,  a  Terrier  

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

23     Portrait  of  a  Cross  of  the  Dog  and  Fox     

EDWIN"  LANDSEER 

T.  Landseer 

24     Dogs  setting  a  Hare    

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

25     Vixen,  a  Scotch  Terrier       

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

26    Fox  Hounds  of  the  Hatfield  Hunt    

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

27     Proctor,  Study  of  a  Blood-hound's  Head  

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

28     Bob,  a  favourite  Terrier      

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

29     The  Poacher,  "  The  "Wily  Fox"  

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

30    Alpine  Mastiff      

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

T.  Landseer 

31     Old  Dog  looks  like  a  Picture      

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

J.  Webb 

\32  'Fight  between  "  JackVMaccswco,"    a   celebrated  Monkey,! 
and  Mr.  Thos.  Cribb's  well  known  bitch  "  Puss  "...      J 

T.  LANDSEEH     

T.  Landseer 

33     Little  Billy,  a  celebrated  Bull  Dog     

T.  LANDSEER     

T.  Landseer 

34    Black  Cap,  a  Harrier's  head       

Gr.  H.  LAPORTE    .     ... 

T.  Landseer 

35    Dead  Eed  Deer    

EDWIN  LANDSEER     ... 

J.  R.  Scott 

36    Tiger  Hunt  

T.  LANDSEER     

T.  Landseer 

37     Tiger  taking  the  Water     

SIR  C.  D'OTLY,  Bart.  . 

T.  Landseer 

38    Elephants  returning  from  the  Hunt  

SIR  C.  D'C-YLY,  Bart.  . 

T.  Landseer 

39    Eed  Deer 

E.  HILLS    

T.  Landseer 

CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS. 


DESCRIPTION   OF  THE   PLATES. 

THAT  there  has  hitherto  existed  no  good  book  of  Engravings  of  the  nobler  wild  animals, 
to  assist  the  progress  of  the  student  in  that  department  of  Art,  is  to  be  regretted.  The  talents 
of  Mr.  JOHN  SCOTT,  brought  into  action  by  those  of  GILFIN,  COOPEB,  and  the  REINAGLES, 
have  presented  the  public  with  excellent  representations  of  the  distinguished  ornaments  of  the 
turf:  the  sports  of  the  field,  and  the  habits  and  manners  of  the  canine  race,  were  also  duly 
honoured :  but  of  the  ferocious  TIGER  tribe,  and  the  lordly  LION,  we  have  nothing  extant  that 
would  bear  critical  inspection,  beyond  a  few  detached  prints: — nothing  like  a  collection  of 
figures,  whose  justness  and  accuracy  of  form,  action,  character,  and  expression,  might  be 
relied  on. 

Does  any  reader  imagine  that  the  various  Etchings  which  have  been  performed — chiefly 
abroad — by  Artists  of  no  mean  ability,  ma}'  be  considered  as  exceptions  ?  They  are  not  exceptions : 
or  at  best,  the  number  which  might  be  so  regarded  is  but  small,  and  those,  for  the  most  part,  of 
dimensions  not  accommodated  to  the  drawer  of  the  cabinet,  or  the  shelf  of  the  library. 

But  they  are  not  objectionable  on  this  ground  alone.  Speaking  of  them  in  the  aggregate,  the 
heavier  charge  lies  against  them  of  being  insufficient  to  those  purposes  of  taste  and  information 
which  are  the  ends  of  Art.  Even  those  after  TITIAN  and  after  RUBENS  (the  latter  of  whom  has 
perhaps  painted  a  greater  number  than  any  other  of  the  old  masters)  are  far  more  deficient  in 
form,  character,  and  expression,  than  is  generally  supposed,  or  than  will  be  easily  believed,  by 
those  who  have  not  actually  compared  them  with  the  Lions,  Leopards,  and  Tigers  of  Nature. 
They  have  been  taken  too  much  on  the  credit  which  attaches  to  the  great  names  of  their  authors. 
— Nor  is  this  intended  to  impugn  the  merits,  as  historical  or  poetical  painters,  of  those  distinguished 
Artists,  but  simply  as  an  assertion  of  truth.  It  is  possible,  that  as  a  painter  of  allegory,  RUBENS 
might  consider  that  strong  infusion  of  human  form,  character,  and  expression,  by  which  his  Lions, 
for  example,  are  distinguished,  as  necessary,  or  conducive,  to  his  allegorical  purposes ;  or,  it  is  pos- 
sible that  his  knowledge  of  this  animal  may  not  have  been  thoroughly  well-grounded,  and  that  he 
may  have  laboured  under  early  prejudice  of  mind,  or  of  vision,  in  this  part  of  his  education  as  a 
Painter,  and  may  not  have  seen  Lions  as  they  really  are.  This  is  what  the  writer  is  most  inclined 
to  believe,  (though  not  to  insist)  j  for  even  in  treating  the  subject  of  Daniel  in  the  den  of  Lions — 

« 


g  CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS. 

the  scene  of  which,  by  the  way,  he  has  not  represented  as  a  royal  menagerie,  but  as  a  wild, 
rocky  cavern— his  animals  partake  of  the  artificial  character  of  which  we  cannot  bring-  ourselves  to 

approve. 

Of  this  fact,  however,  we  purpose  to  exhibit  proof  with  our  assertion.  Improved  versions,  to 
the  best  abilities  of  our  Artists,  of  some  of  these  Lions  of  RUBENS  and  the  Assyrian  king,  will  here 
be  introduced,  which  the  reader,  who  pleases,  may  compare  Avith  the  originals.  Our  second,  third, 
and  fourth  Plates  are  of  the  number. 

The  Lions  of  RUBENS  are  humanized.  We  do  not  intend  to  discuss  at  length  whether  the 
ideality  of  allegorical  painting  required  this  :  we  only  state  the  fact :  yet  the  opinions  which  we 
felt  at  liberty  to  form  on  the  subject,  we  feel  at  liberty  to  utter.  So  much  in  apology  for  using  the 
licence  of  asserting  that  the  heads  of  many  of  the  Lions  of  RUBENS  rather  resemble  those  of  frowning 
old  gentlemen  decorated  with  Ramillies  wigs  ;  as  if  Nature's  journeymen  had  made  manes,  and  not 
made  them  well.  There  is  a  profusion  of  flowing  and  curling-  hair,  which  seems  rather  to  solicit 
the  unguents  of  the  perfumer,  than  to  have  endured  the  torrid  heats  of  the  desert,  or  the  rough 
storms  of  the  forest.  The  shag  of  a  Lion's  mane  is  a  very  different  sort  of  thing. 

However  such  dressed  Lions  may  be  thought  to  accord  with  Allegory,  they  are  demonstrably 
at  variance  with  Nature.  To  be  sure,  what  might  become  a  Lion  in  the  procession  of  the  Cardinal 
Virtues,  might  be  rather  unsuitable  in  his  den,  or  within  the  precincts  of  those  wild  haunts,  where  he 
is  accustomed  to  roam  in  his  natural  state.  We  have  often  read  of  the  fabled  Men-bulls,  or  (Mino- 
taurs,)  and  we  find  such  on  the  coinage  of  Crete.  These  allegorical  creatures  of  RUBENS,  which, 
alas  !  have  sometimes  been  quoted  by  Artists  without  half  his  genius,  and  placed  in  savage  con- 
flicts, or  beside  their  Britannias — are  a  species  of  Men-lions.  Placed  among  the  Saboean  sculp- 
tures, they  might  pass  for  incarnations  of  Sol  in  Leo  ;  but  would  very  ill  pass  for  Leo  alone. 

Among  the  observers  of  this  poetic  improvement,  or  this  natural  and  unpoetical  deficiency,  on 
the  part  of  RUBENS,  TITIAN,  JULIO  ROMANO,  and  other  painters,  both  ancient  and  modern ;  and 
of  the  consequent  desideratum  on  the  part  of  the  public,  of  a  cabinet  or  library  collection  of  the 
nobler  wild  animals  in  a  state  of  Nature,  so  as  to  answer  the  purposes  of  reference,  while  they  con- 
duced to  the  pleasures  of  Taste,  were  Mr.  EDGAR  SPILSBURY  and  Mr.  THOMAS  LANDSEER. 
Whether  or  not  the  public  "looked  up  to  them  for  light"  on  that  subject,  (to  use  the  language  of 
STERNE,)  they  thought  the  Public  "  deserved  it ;"  and  they  therefore,  as  the  best  practical  means 
of  eliciting  that  light,  first  copied  the  general  forms  and  attitudes  of  most  of  the  wild  animals  that 
appear  in  this  book,  from  the  old  masters— generally  speaking,  from  works  that  are  well  known 
-and  then,  went  to  Nature  and  corrected  the  details.  They  carried  with  them  what,  in  those 
ancient  masters,  was  meritorious  in  composition,  attitude  and  chiaroscuro,  and  brought  away, 
to  the  best  of  their  ability — superadding  it  to,  and  blending  it  with,  the  above— accuracy  of 
detail. 


..• 


CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS.  3 

Every  artist  does  best,  that  which  he  is  best  qualified  and  best  disposed  to  do.  In  com- 
pleting- the  number  of  plates  that  has  been  found  necessary  for  the  Work,  Mr.  EDWIN  LANDSEER 
has  chosen  to  proceed  toward  the  same  purpose,  upon  a  different  principle.  He  has  gone,  without 
any  introductory  medium,  directly  to  the  living-  animals,  and  has  exhibited  the  savage  manners  and 
habits  of  these  quadrupeds,  according  to  his  own  ideas  and  observations. 

On  the  distinction  between  CHARACTER  and  EXPRESSION,  we  shall  now  deliver  our  opinion. 
By  the  Character  of  an  animal,  we  mean  those  permanencies  of  his  look  and  features  which  he 
always  offers  to  view  when  in  a  placid,  or  unimpassioned  state  :  by  his  Expression,  the  variations 
of  muscular  action  superinduced  on  character,  to  which  he  is  liable,  as  the  storms  of  passion  sweep 
by,  and  his  mind  becomes  agitated  by  external  circumstances  acting  on  the  ardours  of  his  instinct. 

The  former,  seems  to  hold  its  court  in  the  solid  and  massy  parts :  the  latter,  agitates,  oft- 
times  rebelliously,  the  nerves  and  muscles.  Character  is  ever  present,  both  in  the  animal  coun- 
tenance, and  in  the  "  human  face  divine."  The  most  violent  expression  does  not  proscribe,  or 
obliterate,  character.  Individuality  consists  of  it,  as  far  as  concerns  external  appearance ;  and  it 
forms  the  system  of  vowels  of  the  language  of  Nature,  without  which  no  Expression  could  be. 

Whoever  regards  the  faces  of  a  flock  of  Sheep,  will  see  in  them  an  infinite  variety  of  Character, 
with  very  little  Expression,  and  that  little  without  diversity :  and  if  we  descend  a  step  lower  in 
the  scale  of  being,  and  contemplate  the  finny  tribe,  where  Character  is  not  wanting,  we  find  no 
Expression  at  all.  Even  Trees  and  inanimate  objects,  possess  Character.  We  recollect  a  poetical 
friend  of  ours,  now  in  Italy,  saying  that  every  tree  and  every  rock  had  a  face — but  of  this  we  are 
not  so  certain ;  though  very  certain,  that  there  is  enough  of  Character  in  rocks  and  trees,  to  make 
a  poet  think  so. 

Character  and  Expression,  in  the  carnivorous  class  of  animals,  to  which  we  here  solicit 
attention,  are  always  co-existent  —  their  proportions  varying  with  the  existing  occasions— in 
pictorial  exhibitions  of  such  subjects. 

No.  II. 

THERE  is  much  Character,  and  little  Expression,  in  the  reposing  Leopard  witli  his  sheathed 
claws,  which  is  shewn  in  the  present  engraving,  copied  by  Mr.  SPILSBURY  from  RIDINGER,  and 
corrected  from  Nature.  EIDINGER  was  an  artist  of  great  power,  who  studied  wild  animals  in 
their  sequestered  haunts,  as  is  shewn  in  his  grand  forest  back-grounds ;  and  who,  generally 
speaking,  left  little  or  no  room  for  others  to  improve,  except  on  some  few  of  his  inferibr  works. 
The  present  is  an  interesting  and  beautiful  animal,  yet  -there  is  a  latent  capability  of  mischief 
characterised  in  his  countenance,  and  we  might  ask,  in  the  language  of  Job,  "  Who  shall  dare  to 
rouse  him  up  ?" 


4  CARNIVOROUS   QUADRUPEDS. 

No.  III. 

Two  COUCHANT  LIONS,  AFTER  RUBENS,  taken  from  his  celebrated  picture  before  alluded 
to,  of  the  Prophet  Daniel  incarcerated  in  the  den.  The  Lions  are  here  supposed  to  be  miraculously 
held  in  a  state  of  tranquillity.  Here,  too,  is  not  much  Expression,  but  an  extraordinary  grandeur 
of  Character,  suited  to  the  greatness  of  an  occasion  where  the  Deity  himself  especially  interferes 
to  seal  up  the  voracious  energies  of  the  most  terrible  of  his  creatures,  in  calm  submission.  There 
is  a  character  of  royal  dignity  mingled  with  this  submission,  which  is  very  impressive,  and  even 
sublime. 

The  writer  esteems  this  to  be  a  successful  restoration  of  the  Nature  that  was  wanting  in  the 
prints  of  this  subject,  (which  has  often  been  engraved  by  PICART  and  others,)  after  RUBENS.  The 
original  picture  it  has  been  our  ill-fortune  never  to  have  seen.  The  shaggy  manes,  and  the  latent 
terror  that  sits  gloomily  enthroned  in  the  open  eyes  of  the  superior  Lion — suited  to  the  darkness  of 
the  den,  and  the  nature  of  this  animal's  sense  of  vision, — are  as  well  thought  of,  as  they  are 
executed ;  and  are  varied  with  much  address  from  the  closed  eyes  of  the  couching  Lion  beyond, 
of  which  also  the  character  is  most  happily  marked.  A  powerful  and  divine  spell  possesses 
them  both. 


No.  IV. 

THE  TIGER  WHICH  MARCHES  IN  OUR  PROCESSION,  without  an  object  before  him  to  call 
forth  emotion,  possesses  a  calm  character,  combined  with  the  resistless  strength  of  that  dreadful 
quadruped  j  whose  very  tranquillity,  in  his  leisure  sauntering,  when  no  excitement  is  acting  on  his 
nerves,  has  an  appalling  effect.— His  brow  is  clouded,  though  his  claws  are  sheathed.  There  is  a 
possibility  of  a  dreadful  storm  which  may  not  be  far  distant,  and  that  is  enough  to  stamp  the 
Tiger's  character.  None  shall  dare  to  arouse  his  energies,  nor  to  encounter  them  when  aroused. 

No.  V. 

THIS  GROUP  OF  PLAYFUL  LEOPARDS,  AFTER  RUBENS,  must  be  supposed  to  belong  to  the 
jocund  train  of  Bacchus,  since  they  are  luxuriating  at  their  ease,  among  grapes  and  vine  branches. 
These  Leopards  are  doubtless  intended  to  have  a  degree  of  playful  expression— induced  perhaps  by 
the  exhilarating  juice  of  the  grape  :  and  we  should  "guess"  (as  Jonathan  says)  that  this  group 
was  studied  from  a  litter  of  half-grown  kittens.  Few,  however,  except  the  sailors  who  were 
accustomed  to  gambol  with  the  Tiger-cub  on  board  the  Pitt  East-Indiaman,  would  like  to  venture 
to  frolic  with  them. 


c  «• 


• 
• 


*    *, 

' 


CARNIVOROUS   QUADRUPEDS. 


No.  VI. 

IN  this  GROUP  by  MR.  EDWIN  LANDSEER  there  is  much  of  violent  animal  Expression,  and 
Character  fades  before  it,  or  rather,  is  absorbed  in  it.  It  tells  a  story  of  the  past  as  well  as  the 
present,  and  is  pregnant  with  a  catastrophe  not  difficult  to  anticipate  from  the  actions  and 
expressions  of  the  parties  engaged.  A  FAWN  has  been  seized  by  a  LEOPARD,  who  has  been 
despoiled  of  his  prey  by  a  more  powerful  TIGER.  The  Tiger  in  his  turn  becomes  the  victim  of  an 
enraged  LION. 

The  expression  of  the  wounded  Leopard  is  that  of  painful  suffering-  mingled  with  dread. 
Together,  they  amount  to  agony.  He  shrieks  while  he  submits.  The  Tiger  is  still  enraged  and 
resisting,  though  astounded  with  the  power  and  suddenness  of  the  Lion's  attack.  He  is  losing  his 
energy  of  resistance,  and  is  beginning  to  feel  that  all  resistance  is  vain.  He  roars  with  anguish ; 
while  his  expression  is  that  of  terror,  and  indignation  not  yet  subdued. 

The  Lion,  who  has  just  made  his  thundering  spring,  appears  conscious  of  having  fatally  seized 
his  adversary,  and  luxuriates  fearlessly  in  his  victory  ;  and  with  a  powerful  and  just  expression  of 
carnivorous  enjoyment. — Meanwhile  the  characters  of  the  animals,  severally,  are  faithfully  and 
specifically  represented. 

Although  our  main  purpose  be  to  exhibit  rather  a  pictorial  than  a  physiological  view  of  the 
subject :  having  descanted  on  the  word  Character,  we  shall  probably  be  expected  to  add,  at  least 
a  word  or  two,  on  the  leading  characteristics  of  the  carnivorous  class  of  quadrupeds. 

The  generic  characters  of  the  Feline,  or  Cat,  kind,  are  easily  enumerated  in  the  concise 
language  of  the  naturalists.  Their  heads  are  round ; .  their  visages  short :  they  have  six  cutting 
teeth,  and  two  canine,  in  either  jaw :  their  tongues  are  aculeated,  the  prickles  inclining  backward  ; 
their  claws  sharp,  hooked,  and  retractile ;  their  ears  small  and  acuminated ;  they  have  five  toes  on 
each  of  the  fore-feet,  and  four  only  on  those  behind. 

Of  this  genera  of  Cats,  we  here  exhibit  the  four  principal  species,  Lions,  Tigers,  Leopards, 
and  Panthers,  of  which  the  Lion  is  justly  placed  at  the  head — at  least,  the  unanimous  voice  of  ages 
has  pronounced  him  to  be  the  king  of  beasts,  and  we  have  enthroned  him  accordingly  in  our  Title- 
page,  (No.  I.)  They  form  a  tribe  that  is  especially  and  properly  Carnivorous,  being  the  only 
class  of  quadrupeds  that  are  exclusively  fash-eaters.  Their  jaws  are  very  completely  armed  for 
this  purpose  ;  their  canine  teeth  being  very  long  and  angular,  with  the  edges  of  the  angles  turned 
toward  the  inside  of  their  mouths ;  so  that  when  the  animal  has  caused  them  to  meet,  or  cross  each 
other  in  the  flesh  of  its  prey,  these  formidable  teeth  will  cut  or  tear  a  way  through,  by  drawing 
them  back  without  opening  his  mouth. 

Their  claws,  and  the  formation  of  their  feet,  too,  are  eminently  conducive  to  their  predacious 


0  CARNIVOROUS   QUADRUPEDS. 

and  carnivorous  habits.  They  walk  on  their  toes :  yet  not  so  much  from  that  habitual  stealthiness 
of  pace,  by  which  they  advance  unperceived  till  within  a  spring  of  their  prey  ;  as  because  it  is  also 
the  means  of  that  celerity  of  motion  which  is  necessary  to  the  very  existence  of  animals  that  can 
fleed  only  on  flesh. 

Their  claws  are  exceedingly  powerful ;  and  they  are  enabled  to  draw  them  up  into  sheaths 
between  their  toes,  so  as  to  prevent  their  points  from  touching-  the  ground ;  whence  they  are 
called  retractile ;  and  those  claws  are,  in  consequence,  always  kept  sharp,  unworn,  and  ready  for 
active  service. 

The  eyes  of  the  Feline  tribe— of  every  face  in  nature  a  striking-  and  important  feature— vary 
in  the  different  species,  and  are  capable  of  much  alteration  in  the  same  animal ;  as  instinctive 
impulse,  or  internal  emotion,  changes  the  expression  of  his  countenance ;  and  also  from  the 
degrees  of  light  which  act  upon  their  pupils.  Of  Lions  the  pupils  of  the  eyes  are  circular,  and 
not  of  a  yellow  colour,  as  has  been  stated  in  the  most  diffuse  modern  dissertations  on  the 
Caraivora,  but  black.  It  is  the  iris  of  the  Lion's  eye  that  is  yellow.  They  appear  to  be  best 
suited  to  nocturnal,  or  twilight,  vision ;  and  hence  the  Lion  rarely  hunts  his  prey  while  the  sun 
is  above  the  horizon— perhaps  never,  but  when  pressed  by  hunger  in  an  extraordinary  degree. 
The  Tiger,  on  the  contrary,  will  seek  his  prey  by  day  as  well  as  by  night ;  and  during  twilight  the 
colour  of  his  eyes  is  that  of  a  blue-green  flame.  If  a  stranger  passes  near  a  Tiger  in  a  menagerie, 
the  colour  of  the  animal's  eyes  will  sometimes  alter  suddenly,  from  yellow-green  to  blue-green ; 
not  from  any  alteration  in  the  degree  of  light  acting  upon  them,  but  from  mental  excitement,  and 
from  a  certain  natural  facility  of  expansion  and  contraction  of  the  eye-pupils. 

Hence  a  characteristic  difference  betwee  n  the  Lion  and  the  Tiger.  The  habits  of  the  latter 
are  diurnal,  and  he  disregards  night-fires :  the  Lion,  on  the  contrary,  whose  eyes  are  not  calculated 
for  the  glare  of  day,  cannot  bear  to  encounter  fire-light  at  night.  Yet  these  physical  conforma- 
tions are  sometimes  overcome  by  the  rage  of  hunger ;  and  hence,  in  MR.  EDWIN  LANDSEER'S 
contending  group,  the  Lion  is  represented  as  attacking  the  Tiger  although  it  be  day. 

MR.  BELL  treats  learnedly,  and  we  believe  with  .much  originality,  of  the  facial-muscles  of 
this  class  of  quadrupeds,  in  his  "  Anatomy  of  Expression." — We  shall  offer  a  few  extracts,  by 
which  the  reader  will  perceive  how  limited  are  their  powers  of  expression  of  countenance,  when 
compared  with  those  of  human  nature,  notwithstanding  their  superiority  over  all  other  quadrupeds. 
"  The  violent  passions  mark  themselves  so  distinctly  on  the  countenances  both  of  men  and 
of  animals,  that  we  are  apt  in  the  first  instance  to  consider  the  movements  by  which  they  are 
indicated,  as  certain  signs  or  characters  provided  by  Nature,  for  the  express  purpose  of  intimating 
the  internal  emotion ;  and  to  suppose  that  they  are  interpreted  by  the  observer  in  consequence  of  a 
peculiar  and  instinctive  faculty.  This  view  of  things,  however,  so  natural  at  first  sight,  is  not 
altogether  satisfactory  to  philosophy  j  and  a  more  jealous  observation  of  the  facts,  seems  to  suggest 


CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS.  7 

an  opposite  theory,  in  which  instinctive  agency  is  rejected,  and  the  appearances  are  explained  from 
a  consideration  of  the  necessities  and  voluntary  exertions  of  the  animal.  With  regard  to  the 
observer,  it  has  been  asserted,  that  it  is  by  experience  alone  that  he  distinguishes  the  signs  of  the 
passions ;  that  we  learn,  while  infants,  to  consider  smiles  as  expressions  of  kindness,  because  they 
are  accompanied  by  acts  of  beneficence  and  by  endearments ;  and  frowns  as  the  contrary,  because 
we  find  them  followed  by  blows ;  that  the  expression  of  anger  in  a  brute,  is  only  that  which  has 
been  observed  to  precede  his  biting- •  and  that  of  fondness,  his  fawning  and  licking  of  the  hand. 
With  regard  to  the  creature  itself,  it  is  said,  what  has  been  called  the  external  signs  of  passion,  are 
merely  the  concomitants  of  those  voluntary  movements,  which  the  passions  or  habits  suggest ;  that 
the  glare  of  the  Lion's  eye,  for  example,  is  the  consequence  of  a  voluntary  exertion  to  see  his  prey 
more  clearly— his  grin,  or  snarl,  the  natural  motion  of  uncasing  his  fang-s  before  he  uses  them. 
This,  however,  is  not  quite  true  of  all  animals  and  of  all  expression  of  passion." 

"Attending  merely  to  the  evidence  furnished  by  anatomical  investigation,  all  that  I  shall 
venture  to  affirm  is  this :  that  a  remarkable  difference  is  to  be  found  between  the  anatomy  and 
range  of  expression,  in  man  and  in  animals :  that  in  the  former  there  seems  to  be  a  systematic 
provision  for  that  mode  of  communication  and  that  natural  language,  which  is  to  be  read  in  the 
changes  of  the  countenance :  that  there  is  no  emotion  in  the  mind  of  man  which  has  not  its 
appropriate  signs  ;  and  that  there  are  even  muscles  in  the  human  face  to  which  no  other  use  can  be 
assigned  than  to  serve  as  the  organs  of  this  language :  that,  on  the  other  hand,  there  is  in  the  lower 
animals  no  range  of  expression  which  is  not  fairly  referable  as  a  mere  accessary  to  the  voluntary 
or  needful  actions  of  the  animal ;  and  that  this  accessary  expression  does  not  appear  to  be  in  any 
degree  commensurate  to  the  variety  and  extent  of  the  animal's  passions." 

"  There  appears  to  me  (continues  MR.  BELL)  to  be  no  expression  in  the  face  of  any  animal 
lower  in  the  scale  of  being  than  quadrupeds ;  and  in  them  the  strongest  and  most  marked 
expression  is  that  of  rage ;  the  object  of  which  is  opposition,  resistance,  and  defence.  But  on 
examination  it  will  be  found  (consistently  with  the  position,  that  this  is  merely  an  accessary  of 
the  motions  natural  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  object  which  the  animal  has  in  view)  that  the 
strength  of  the  expression  is  in  exact  proportion  to  the  strength  of  the  principal  action  in  the 
creature  when  thus  excited. 

"  The  gramnivorous  animals,  which  seek  their  subsistence,  not  by  preying  upon  others,  nor  by 
the  ferocity,  contest,  and  victory  which  supply  the  carnivorous  with  food,  have  in  their  features  no 
strong  expression  of  rage.  Their  expression  is  chiefly  confined  indeed  to  the  effect  produced  on  the 
general  system.  Thus  the  inflamed  eye  and  the  breathing  nostrils  of  the  Bull,  are  induced  only 
by  the  general  excitement.  His  only  proper  expression  of  rage,  is  in  the  position  of  the  head, 
with  the  horns  turned  obliquely  to  the  ground,  ready  to  strike :  and  indeed  it  may  be  observed 
in  general  that  animals  which  strike  with  the  horns,  shew  little  indication  of  fear  or  rage,  except  in 


g  CARNIVOROUS   QUADRUPEDS. 

the  position  of  the  head.  In  all  gramnivorous  animals,  the  skin  of  the  head  is  closely  attached  to 
the  skull,  and  capable  only  of  very  limited  motion :  the  eye  is  almost  uniformly  mild,  and  the  lips 
unmoved  by  passion. 

"  It  is  in  carnivorous  animals,  with  whose  habits  and  manner  of  life,  ferocity  is  instinctively 
connected,  as  the  great  means  of  their  subsistence,  that  rage  is  distinguished  by  the  most 
remarkable  strength  of  expression.  The  eye-ball  is  terrible,  and  the  retraction  of  the  flesh  of  the 
lips  indicates  the  most  savage  fury.  But  the  first,  is  merely  the  exerted  attention  of  the  animal ; 
and  the  other  a  preparatory  exposure  of  the  canine  teeth.  The  great  animals  of  prey— the  Lion 
and  the  Tiger — are  quite  incapable  of  any  other  expression  of  feature,  than  this  particular  display 
of  ferociousness.  When  they  fawn  upon  their  keeper,  there  is  no  motion  in  their  features  that 
indicates  affection." 

In  this  assertion,  that  the  countenances  of  the  great  animals  of  prey  are  incapable  of  any 
other  than  ferocious  expression,  we  do  not  quite  coincide  with  our  learned  physiologist.  When 
they  fawn  upon  their  keeper,  we  think  that  indications  of  affection  are  exhibited;  and  find 
ourselves  ready  to  ask  what  else  than  kindly  expression  is  that  "  licking  of  the  hand"  which  our 
author  has  before  mentioned.  If,  however,  we  should  grant  that  they  may  not  be  capable  of 
affectionate  expression  toward  their  keeper,  we  can  scarcely  doubt  that — toward  their  young— if 
we  could  observe  them  in  their  wild  state,  and  in  their  moments  of  playful  intercourse  and 
enjoyment  among  each  other — they  are :  at  least,  we  think  there  are  motions  in  their  features  that 
indicate  affection,  as  well  as  fear,  enquiry,  surprise,  gratitude,  pleasurable  wantonness,  and  some 
other  sentiments,  or  emotions.  This  is  our  conviction :  at  the  same  time,  we  perceive  that  the 
range  of  their  ferocious  expression  far  exceeds  the  savage  circle  of  their  domestic  charities.  Are 
not  even  the  least  of  these  observable  in  the  habits  and  manners  of  the  domestic  Cat,  who  belongs 
to  the  Tiger  genera  ?  But  we  have  even  seen  a  Tiger  in  his  den,  who  looked  good-natured  enough 
to  be  stroked  and  patted  :  and  of  the  Lion,  of  whom  MR.  GRIFFITH  relates  the  following  anecdote, 
what  can  be  said  or  thought  ? 

"  Hearing  some  noise  under  his  cag'e,  the  Lion  passed  his  paw  between  the  bars,  and  actually 
hauled  up  his  keeper  who  was  cleaning-  beneath  ;  but  as  soon  as  he  perceived  that  he  had  thus  ill 
used  his  master,  he  instantly  lay  down  upon  his  back  in  an  attitude  of  complete  submission." 

Or  what  can  be  said  of  the  circumstance  mentioned  by  SENECA  (of  which  he  was  personally 
witness),  of  a  Lion,  to  whom  a  man,  who  had  formerly  been  his  keeper,  was  exposed  for  destruction 
in  the  amphitheatre  at  Home ;  and  who  was  not  only  instantly  recognised,  but  defended  and 
protected  by  the  grateful  beast?— Or  of  the  story  related  by  DR.  SOUTHEY,  of  the  Lion  who  had 
broken  loose,  submitting  to  the  Cid,  and  allowing  himself  to  be  led  back  peaceably  to  his  place  of 
confinement  ? 

Could  any  painter  of  talent  proceed  to  represent  either  of  these  facts,  without  finding  in  the 


g 


© 
Si 


! 


CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS.  9 

countenance  of  the  Lion,  the  muscles  and  the  means  of  expressing1  a  corresponding  gentleness, 
or  generosity,  of  feeling1  ? 

What  could  be  said  or  thought  of  these  things?  Why  it  may  be  said,  and  will  be 
thought,  by  all  those  who  take  both  sides  of  the  argument  fairly  into  the  question  —that  MR. 
BELL  has  discovered  and  declared,  that  the  muscles  of  affection,  do  not  exist  in  the  carnivora. 
Ergo,  that  the  sentiment  which  we  so  translate  or  acknowledge — the  appearances  (that  is)  with 
which  we  may  find  ourselves  affected — can  only  be  expression  of  a  negative  kind ;  resulting  from 
the  relaxation  of  those  muscles  whose  tension  is  necessary  to  the  purposes,  or  the  expression,  of 
ferocity  :  that "  the  force  of  Nature  can  no  further  go ;"  and  that  the  painter — the  supposed  painter, 
of  such  subjects,  who  is  appealed  to  above— in  order  to  be  in  any  degree  successful,  must  "make 
a  third,  by  joining  the  former  two" — that  is  to  say,  by  mingling  a  portion  of  human  nature  with 
that  of  the  animal :  which  brings  us  round  to  the  practice  and  the  probable  theory  of  RUBENS; 
of  which  it  affords  more  justification,  and  of  a  higher  kind,  than  superficial  reasoners  can  be 
aware  of. 

But,  when  muscles  of  affection  are  mentioned,  do  we  talk  of  a  positive  and  acknowledged 
certainty  j  or  only  of  a  construction  that  has  been  put  upon  certain  muscles  of  the  face,  by  those 
who  have  an  hypothesis  to  maintain,  or  who  can  trace  affectionate  expression  in  no  other  ? 
And,  are  we  thence  to  infer  the  exhaustion  of  the  subject,  and  non-entity  of  the  expression  ? 


No.  VII. 

MR.  SPILSBURY'S  LION,  Avho  has  turned  round  his  head  to  look  at  a  Snake,  affords  a  deli- 
neated example  in  point.  Here  is  no  more,  we  think,  than  the  latent  capability  of  ferocity  : 
just  so  much  as  cannot  be  separated  from  the  native  character  of  this  noble  quadruped. — The 
eye-ball  is  here,  not  "  terrible ;"  nor  is  "  the  most  savage  fury"  indicated  by  the  retraction  of  the 
lips,  although  the  lower  canine  teeth  are  exposed.  Here  is  a  general  sense  of  dignity ;  but  the 
leading,  present  expression  of  the  moment,  (as  it  strikes  us,)  is  that  of  curiosity,  or  excited 
attention ;  mingled  with  some  degree  of  surprise  that  a  contemptible  little  Snake  should  presume 
to  roll  his  puny  volumes  in  the  royal  presence.  It  would  appear  that  the  Lion  has  heard 
something  hiss,  and  cares  a  little,  to  know  what  it  may  be. 

Will  it  be  further  objected  that  this  is  Art  ? — To  be  sure  it  is.  But  we  think  that  such 
Lion-looks  are  to  be  seen  in  Nature ;  and  that  such  were  seen,  when  the  Dog  which  appealed  to, 
and  obtained,  the  royal  pity,  was  first  thrown  into  the  Lion's  den  at  the  Tower.  We  believe 
that  this  representation  of  the  Lion  and  Snake  is  not  taken  from  any  old  master,  but  is  MR. 

SPILSBURY'S  own  design. 

c 


10  CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS. 

No.  VIII. 

NEITHER  is  there  any  expression  of  ferocity,  but  of  home  comfort,  in  these  two  maneless 
Lions— or  LION  and  LIONESS  of  SENEGAL.  That  which  is  asleep,  however,  rather  illustrates  our 
definition  of  Character,  and  is  so  far  out  of  the  question.  The  Lioness— who  is  awake,  is  a  kind 
of  Belle-Sauvage.  Entirely  without  ferocity,  she  has  some  little  expression  of  attention  gently 
aroused  by  some  slight  cause— less  important,  we  should  think  than  the  distant  cry  of  a  Chacal — 
a  noise  in  the  den,  perhaps,  not  loud  enough  to  make  it  worth  while  to  wake  her  companion  in 
order  to  see  what's  the  matter.  But  her  expression  of  countenance,  is  almost  as  mild  as  that  of 
a  kitten  in  a  chimney  corner. — In  fact,  they  seem— notwithstanding  their  Herculean  strength — 
a  kind  of  hearth-rug  Lions.* 

After  venturing  to  express  this  slight  difference  of  opinion  (if  it  amount  to  so  much)  with 
our  distinguished  anatomist  of  Expression,  we  return,  with  becoming  respect,  to  his  valuable 
Treatise  :  though  as  we  do  not  propose  to  exhibit,  like  him,  an  anatomical  and  comparative  view 
of  the  Carnivorous  and  Gramnivorous  genera,  we  shall  confine  ourselves  to  a  short  extract  or  two, 
relating  to  the  Carnivora  alone — 

"  It  is  of  man  alone  that  we  can  with  strict  propriety  say  the  countenance  is  an  index  of  the 
mind,  having  expression  corresponding  with  each  emotion  of  the  soul.  Other  animals  have  no 
expression  but  that  which  arises  by  mere  accident,  the  concomitant  of  the  emotions  necessary  to 
the  accomplishment  of  the  object  of  the  passions." — 

"  I  have  to  remark,  as  relative  to  painting,  (my  original  subject  of  enquiry)  that  this  remark- 
able difference  between  the  expression  in  man,  and  animals,  naturally  leads  us  to  investigate  what 
are  the  peculiarities  of  mere  animal  expression. 

"  In  order  to  see  distinctly  what  the  peculiarities  of  mere  animal  expression  are,  it  seems 
proper  to  reduce  the  muscles  of  expression  in  animals,  to  their  proper  classes.  These  muscles,  as 
they  appear  in  the  several  quadrupeds,  may  be  distinguished  into — 1.  Those  which  raise  the 
lips  from  the  teeth  :  2.  Those  which  surround  the  eye-lids :  and  3.  Those  which  move  the 
nostrils." 

He  next  proceeds  to  state  that  "  in  the  Carnivorous  animal,  the  muscles  of  the  lip  are  so 
directed  as  to  raise  the  lip  from  the  canine  teeth  j" — and  these  he  distinguishes  by  the  name  of 
"  Hingentes,  or  snarling  muscles." 

The  snarling  muscles  take  their  origin  from  the  margin  of  the  orbit  of  the  eye,  and  from 
the  upper  jaw,  and  are  inserted  into  that  part  of  the  upper  lip  from  which  the  whiskers  grow,  and 
which  is  opposite  to  the  canine  teeth  •  and  although  they  are  assisted  in  this  oifice  by  other 

*  This  was  written  before  the  beautiful  hearth-rug  Lion  introduced  to  us  by  Mr.  Crosse  of  Leeds,  and  which  is  equal  to 
the  finest  painting. 


CAKNIVOKOUS    QUADRUPEDS.  11 

muscles,  (the  masticating1  and  zygomatic  muscles,)  I  have  ventured  to  distinguish  them  particularly 
as  the  muscles  of  snarling1.  This  action  of  snarling-  is  quite  peculiar  to  the  ferocious  and  carni- 
vorous animals. 

"  2.  Muscles  which  surround  the  eye-lid.  In  man  the  upper  eye-lid  is  raised  by  a  muscle 
coming1  from  the  bottom  of  the  orbit.  But,  besides  this  muscle,  animals  of  prey  in  whom  there  is 
that  peculiar  and  ferocious  splendour  of  the  eye,  which  we  distinguish  in  the  Tiger,  for  example, 
or  the  Lion — have  three  muscles  infixed  in  the  eye-lids,  which  drawing  the  eyelids  backward 
upon  the  peculiarly  prominent  eye-ball,  produce  the  fixed  straining  of  the  eye,  and  by  stretching 
the  coats,  give  a  greater  brilliancy  to  the  reflection.  These  muscles  may  be  classed  under  the  term 
Scintillantes. 

"  3.  The  muscles  of  the  nostril  are  not  less  distinct  and  peculiar,  in  different  classes  of 
animals,  than  those  of  the  eyes  and  lips.  In  the  Carnivorous  animals,  the  nose  is  comparatively 
insignificant,  provision  being  made  in  the  open  mouth  for  any  occasional  increase  of  respiration 
above  the  uniform  play  of  the  lungs." 

Taking  respectful,  friendly,  and  reluctant  leave  of  ME.  BELL,  we  trust  that  conformity  will 
be  found  between  these  pictorial  remarks  and  anatomical  elucidations  of  his,  and  our  engraved 
representations  of  the  Carnivora. 


No.  IX. 

THE  interior  of  a  rocky  den,  where  the  LION  dares  to  intrude  on  the  retired  repose  of  a 
ROYAL  TIGER,  copied  by  MR.  SPILSBURY  from  the  Sketch-book  of  STUBBS.  On  the  part 
of  the  Tiger,  there  is  expressed  a  certain  half  frantic  suspension  of  purpose.  His  look  is  fierce, 
though  apprehensive,  and  as  if  his  mind  was  not  made  up  whether  to  become  the  assailant,  or 
stand  on  the  defensive.  He  is  evidently  taken  by  surprise ;  and  if  he  does  not  fear,  he  is 
thoroughly  conscious  (as  DR.  JOHNSON  said,  when  he  was  to  meet  LORD  THURLOW)  that  "  there 
is  something  to  encounter?'  while  the  Lion,  feeling  also  that  he  has  met  with  his  match,  is 
arousing  his  terrible  energies.  The  heroes  are  threatening :  the  storm  has  gathered  :  and  is  about 
to  burst  in  fury. 

With  regard  to  the  "  ferocious  splendour  of  their  eyes,"  and  the  exposure  of  their  canine 
teeth  by  means  of  the  Mingentes,  the  reader  will  find  here  a  strict  accordance  with  MR.  BELL'S 
theory. 


12  CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS. 


No.  X. 

The  TIGRESS  of  BENGAL,  which  has  been  designed,  as  well  as  etched,  by  MR.  THOMAS 
LANDSEER,  from  that  at  the  Exeter  'Change  Menagerie,  affords  also  a  pertinent  illustration  of 
the  principles  which  MR.  BELL  had  derived  from  combining  study  with  dissection :  theory  with 
practice.  The  "  three  muscles  infixed  in  the  eye-lids,  which,  drawing  the  eye-lids  backward  upon 
the  peculiarly  prominent  eye-ball,  produce  the  fixed  straining  of  the  eye,  and  by  stretching  the 
coats,  give  a  greater  brilliancy  to  the  reflection,"  are  here  brought  into  action  by  a  violent  and 
unexpected  outrage  done  to  the  maternal  feelings.  Here  too  is  exemplified  the  origin,  insertion, 
and  physical  use,  of  those  snarling  muscles,  which  are  so  properly  named  and  defined  by  our 
learned  anatomist.  We  cannot  but  wish,  however,  that  he  had  written  also  of  those  of  the 
lower  jaw,  which  so  powerfully  conduce  to  this  snarling  and  dreadful  expression. 

The  mother  has  arrived  at  a  fortunate  conjuncture  for  her  cubs,  which  lie  sleeping  below,  in  a 
small  den  or  dark  recess  of  the  bank,  whither  a  Serpent  has  stolen.  Twisted  among  the  jungle, 
which  affords  an  advantageous  post  both  of  attack  and  defence  for  the  Serpent— the  Tigress  has 
reason  to  dread  an  enemy  so  powerful  and  insidious ;  and,  as  in  the  preceding  Engraving,  both 
parties  are  prepared  for  the  encounter,  and  fully  aware  of  the  importance  of  a  first  blow. 


No.  XI. 

THESE  RAMPANT  LIONS,  bear  the  name  of  RUBENS  as  their  author.  SIR  JOHN  SEBRIGHT, 
we  believe,  has  the  original  picture.  It  would  neither  deteriorate  from  its  intrinsic  merit  as  a 
work  of  art,  nor  from  its  nominal  value  (we  suspect),  should  it  turn  out  to  be  from  the  pencil  of 
SNYDERS  ;  or  a  performance  of  RUBENS  and  SNYDERS  in  conjunction.  They  not  unfrequently 
painted  on  the  same  canvas ;  but  the  high  reputation  and  rank  of  RUBENS,  has  in  some  measure 
absorbed  that  of  his  coadjutor,  except  among  first-rate  connoisseurs — whereas,  in  all  that  relates  to 
the  details  of  Nature,  SNYDERS  was  the  superior  painter  of  animals:  and  our  reasons  for 
thinking  that  he  had  at  least  a  hand  in  this  picture  of  the  rampant  Lions,  are,  1st,  The  superior 
attention  which  is  here  paid  to  the  details  of  Nature.  Sndly,  That  the  action  of  the  nearest  of  the 
two  Lions,  is  precisely  that  of  the  same  animal,  in  SNYDERS'  very  capital  picture  from  the  fable  of 


CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS.  13 

the  Lion  liberated  by  the  Mouse,  now  in  the  Cabinet  of  THOMAS  FRANKLIN,  Esq.  Srdly,  That 
the  study  in  oil  of  a  dead  Lion,  in  the  collection  of  G.  WATSON  TAYLOR,  Esq.  also  believed  to  be 
from  the  hand  of  SNYDERS,  bears  internal  evidence  of  being-  painted,  not  only  from  Nature,  but 
from  the  very  same  individual  Lion,  with  the  above.  They  are  all  portraits  of  the  same 
animal.  It  appears  as  if  SNYDERS,  having-  obtained  possession  of  a  dead  Lion,  after  making-  the 
study  now  belonging-  to  MR.  TAYLOR,  had  put  him  in  this  rampant  attitude,  and  painted  from 
him  as  long  as  he  lasted.  But  perhaps  RUBENS  and  SNYDERS  did  this  in  concert :  for  on  the 
other  hand  may  be  recollected  a  masterly  sketch  in  oil  of  the  heads  only  of  these  rampant  Lions, 
which  was  exhibited  at  the  British  Gallery  two  seasons  ag-o,  bearing  the  name  of  RUBENS.  If 
this  name  was  written  by  RUBENS  himself,  the  probability  is  as  above  stated,  that  both  artists 
painted  at  the  same  time  from  the  same  model.  On  this  point  we  do  but  sum  up  such  evidence  as 
is  before  us,  leaving  the  verdict  to  the  reader. 

We  believe  that  this  subject  also,  has  passed  through  the  medium  of  an  Etching  by  BLOTE- 
LING,  for  it  differs  in  some  minor  respects  from  the  picture  in  the  gallery  of  SIR  JOHN  SEBRIGHT. 
It  however  affords  further  illustration  of  the  theory  of  expression  laid  down  by  MR.  BELL,  while 
it  embodies  the  Scriptural  idea  of  a  "  ramping  and  roaring-  Lion  seeking  whom  he  may  devour." 

We  have  mentioned  above,  our  having  been  disposed,  on  a  certain  occasion  of  visiting  a 
public  menagerie,  to  pat  and  stroke  a  Royal  Tiger  as  he  lay  in  his  den  with  his  nose  toward  the 
spectator,  and  whose  looks,  though  certainly  far  from  angelic,  we  could  almost  have  called 
amiable  :  yet  this  is  very  far  from  being  the  character  of  the  Tiger.  To  stroke,  or  pat,  or  touch 
them  in  any  way,  however,  no  person  should  ever  venture,  except  their  keepers ;  even  the  tame 
Tigers,  that  are  sometimes  brought  up  almost  without  animal  food  by  the  mendicant  priests  of 
Hindostan,  are  strictly  prohibited  from  being  touched — "  under  the  utmost  rigours  of  religious 
anathema,"  says  COL.  WILLIAMSON,  who  relates  a  circumstance  of  his  having  visited  a  Faukeer 
who  kept  a  Tiger  of  this  kind  in  the  wilds  of  Colgong. 


14  CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS. 

No.  XII. 

The  amiable-looking  Tiger  of  whom  we  have  spoken,  lay  something  in  the  attitude  and 
manner  of  the  principal  PANTHER,  in  the  present  picturesque  GROUP  which  MR.  SPILSBURY 
copied  from  the  Sketcli-book  of  that  admirable  painter  and  anatomist  of  animals,  STUBBS. 

Perhaps  this  sentiment  of  ours,  may  be  ascribed— in  part  at  least— to  the  undulations  of 
form,  glossiness  of  surface,  and  brilliancy  of  colours,  of  these  interesting  creatures,  reviving  the 
early  mental  impressions  which  we  remember  to  have  received  at  the  sight  of  shining  and  speckled 
shells,  butterflies'  wings,  and  other  objects  of  pure  beauty ;  and  in  part  to  our  having  associated 
ideas  of  innocence  and  domesticated  habits  and  comfort,  with  the  "sympathetic  mirth"  (as 
GOLDSMITH'S  phrase  is)  of  sportive  kittens. 

It  may  not  be  unworthy  of  our  best  philosophy  to  pause  here,  and  observe  how  Nature 
contrives  to  mingle,  and  seems  to  insist  on  mingling,  sentiments  and  mental  impressions,  which 
analysing  man  is  so  fond  of  reducing  to  first  elements — as  he  calls  them.  Surely  there  is, 
about  these  Carnivorous  and  terrible  creatures,  a  saving  grace— a  beauty  in  their  dreadfulness, 
which  is  exceedingly  interesting,  although  it  co-exist  with  cruelty :  for  if  they  are  cruel,  their 
cruelty  is  involuntary,  and  not  implacable ;  and  therefore,  if  not  pardonable,  not  hateful — while 
the  external  beauty  which  they  possess,  is  of  a  positive  nature. 

Reverting  here  to  our  own  scholastic  distinction,  we  think  that  Nature  has,  in  the  instance  of 
this  species  of  quadrupeds,  mingled  with  similar  success,  energy  of  character,  with  a  degree  of 
mildness  of  expression.  The  natural  character  of  the  Panther  is  fearfully  ferocious,  yet  a  super- 
induced kindly  expression  may  be  seen  in  this  group  from  the  pencil  of  STUBBS — a  sworn  disciple 
of  Nature — which  may  shew  that  in  their  home  retiredness,  they  have  not  been  left  destitute  of 
the  means  of  letting  each  other  see  that  they  are  sociable,  friendly,  and  not  entirely  without  the 
means  of  expressing  the  gentler  emotions.  Men  are  perhaps  too  exclusively  disposed  to  look  at 
the  objects  around  them,  as  those  objects  immediately  concern  themselves :  MR.  STUBBS,  in 
composing  this  capital  group,  took  a  more  extensive  and  genuine  view  of  things  j  and  n  otwith- 
standing  the  Panther  is  larger  and  more  formidable  than  the  Leopard  (from  which  quadruped  he 
is  not  always  easily  distinguishable),  has  depicted  them  as  scarcely  less  mild  and  gentle  than  the 
domestic  Cat. 

The  evidence  of  facts,  however,  when  set  in  apposition,  affords,  in  all  probability,  the  most 
efficacious  and  convincing  means  of  manifesting  such  principles  as  we  are  here  submitting,  while 
they  exhibit  the  varieties  of  animal  expression  to  the  best  advantage ;  and  we  therefore  introduce 
another  GROUP  of  PANTHERS,  from  the  same  Sketch-book,  by  STUBBS,  more  malignant 
in  their  aspects. 


CARNIVOROUS   QUADRUPEDS.  15 

No.  XIII. 

This  is  what  one  might  call  a  domestic,  or  family,  group;  but  they  seem  here  to  be 
meditating-  prey,  and  by  no  means  so  good-humoured  as  in  the  former  instance,  where  they  might 
be  fancied  to  be  quietly  enjoying  themselves  after  a  sufficient  repast.  The  two  groups,  when 
viewed  together,  seem  very  much  to  assist  our  perceptions  of  the  capability  of  this  animal  of 
gentle,  as  well  as  of  savage,  expression.— They  are  contrasted,  indeed,  though  without  the  direct 
opposition  of  violent  brutal  action,  to  calm  repose :  the  eye  being  the  chief  seat  of  the  difference. 
But  neither  the  gentle,  nor  the  more- ferocious  and  malignant-looking,  Panthers,  or  Tigers,  will 
bear  any  comparison  for  commanding-  majesty  of  appearance  with  the  regal  Lion,  whether  in  a 
calm  or  an  excited  state — as  the  vignette  of  our  title-page  is  ready  to  bear  Avitness. 

There  is  good  chiaroscuro  in  both  of  the  above  groups ;  and  the  scene  of  rocky  wildness  in 
which  the  latter  are  placed,  as  well  as  the  rich  colouring  of  the  fur  of  the  animals,  are  ably 
indicated. 

The  reader  may  perhaps  not  be  displeased  to  attend  here  for  a  moment,  to  a  short  epitome  of 
what  the  Naturalists  have  said  concerning  the  distinctive  marks  of  this  interesting-  quadruped,  the 
Panther:  nor  to  be  informed  or  reminded  of  the  strong  resemblance  which  he  bears  to  the 
Leopard. 

DR.  SHAW  observes  that  LlNNJSUS  himself  has  confounded  the  Panther  with  the  Leopard  ; 
but  adds,  that  <c  a  true  distinctive  mark  between  them,  is  by  no  means  easy  to  communicate  either 
by  description  or  even  by  figure."  He  thinks  that  the  Leopard  is  the  smaller  of  the  two  species 
of  animals,  and  its  colour  a  paler  yellow  :  and  MR.  GRIFFITH,  in  his  "  Carnivora,"  says,  "  A  very 
fine  animal  is  now  exhibiting  at  Exeter  'Change  under  the  name  of  Leopard,  which  is  much 
larger  as  well  as  brighter  than  any  other  Leopard  in  that  Menagerie,  and  should,  therefore, 
according  to  SHAW,  seem  to  be  the  Panther.  But  I  am  informed  that  the  animal  in  question  was 
taken  in  India,  and  that  all  those  which  come  from  Asia,  are  much  brighter  in  colour  than  those 
from  Africa,  which  is  confirmed '  by  inspection  of  the  African  specimens  there ;  and  that  the 
females  have  more  white  about  them  than  the  other  sex :  and  MR.  CROSS,  who  has  had  opportu- 
nities of  inspecting  probably  some  hundreds  of  specimens,  insists  that  he  has  never  observed  any 
specific  difference  between  those  brought  from  Asia  and  Africa,  among  themselves,  except  that  the 
Asiatic  are  generally  larger  and  brighter." 

LICHTENSTEIN,  in  a  note  communicated  to  MAJOR  SMITH,  describes  the  Panther  as 
resembling'  the  Jaguar,  in  having  the  same  number  of  rows  of  spots,  but  different  in  having  no 
full  spots,  on  the  dorsal  line.  If  this  be  correct,  then  is  the  existence  of  the  Panther  established 
as  being  distinct  from  the  Leopard :  but  I  do  not  find  that  full  spots  on  the  dorsal  line  always 
make  a  specific  difference  of  the  Jaguar.  When,  therefore,  it  is  said,  that  the  Panther  much 


1(5  CAENIVOEOUS    QUADRUPEDS. 

resembles  the  Jaguar,  it  is  always  strongly  to  be  suspected  that  the  type  whence  the  observations  ar  e 
taken  is  an  American  animal.  If  the  contrary  be  clearly  established,  and  the  animal  be  found  to 
have  large  round  or  oval  open  marks  of  black,  with  a  central  spot  on  the  sides  and  back,  and  a  tail 
lono-er  than  from  its  insertion  to  the  ground,  it  may  be  concluded  that  it  is  the  real  Panther. 

Lastly,  that  indefatigable  investigator,  CUVIEB,  says  he  was  long  in  doubt  whether  the 
Panther  and  Leopard  were  distinct :  but  a  comparison  of  a  great  number  of  skins,  as  well  as 
observations  on  the  numerous  animals  sent  to  the  French  Museum,  have  satisfied  him  that  they 
are  different ;  and  he  accordingly  describes  the  Panther  as  having  six  or  seven  rows  of  rose-like 
spots  in  transverse  lines,  the  tail  longer  and  the  head  larger  than  the  Jaguar,  and  the  ground-colour 
of  the  fur  paler.  The  Leopard  he  describes  as  a  little  less  than  the  Panther,  though  with  the  same 
proportions  ;  but  the  spots,  as  much  more  numerous,  forming  ten  transverse  lines. 

The  opinion  of  CUVIER  is  certainly  deserving  of  the  greatest  attention ;  but  it  may  be 
observed  that  his  enumeration  of  the  six  or  seven  rows  of  spots  in  the  Panther,  and  of  ten  in  the 
Leopard,  is  not  so  certainly  intelligible  as  might  be  desired,  when  it  is  considered  that  the  spots  or 
marks  in  question  have  really  little  or  no  parallelism.  Notwithstanding,  therefore,  this  respectable 
authority,  it  seems  very  probable  that  the  Panther  and  Leopard  are  one  and  the  same  species, 
which  branches  into  two  varieties,  the  Asiatic  and  the  African ;  the  former  of  which  is  brighter 
in  colour,  and  probably  something  larger  than  the  latter ;  and  that  the  females  of  both  are  paler 
and  less  than  the  other  sex.  CICERO,  in  his  letters  to  ATTICUS,  speaks  of  the  Panther  of  Africa, 
and  the  Asiatic  Panther  ;  as  if  they  were  different. 

The  ancient  naturalists  were  not  a  whit  more  successful  in  distinguishing  these  two 
quadrupeds,  than  the  moderns,  notwithstanding  the  opportunities  which  they  possessed  of 
inspecting-  so  many.  MR.  GRIFFITH  comments  on  SHAW,  LICHTENSTEIN,  and  CUVIER  ;  so  did 
CICERO  and  PLINY,  on  ARISTOTLE.  Hence  their  Panthcra,  Pardus,  and  the  Leopardus  of  the 
later  ages  of  Rome  (the  last  of  which  plainly  indicates  their  supposition  that  a  Lion  or  Lioness 
had  been  concerned  in  the  generation  of  this  spotted  animal.) 

It  is  surprising  to  reflect  on  the  great  number  of  Panthers,  which  in  those  later  ages  of  Rome, 
were  brought  from  the  deserts  of  Africa  for  their  public  shows.  SCAURUS  exhibited  an  hundred 
and  fifty  of  them  at  one  time  ;  POMPEY,  four  hundred  and  ten  ;  and  AUGUSTUS,  four  hundred 
and  twenty  !  They  probably  thinned  the  province  of  Mauritania  almost  to  extirpation  ;  which 
may  account  for  the  superior  abundance  of  these  quadrupeds,  as  well  as  of  Lions,  at  present,  in 
Guinea,  and  the  more  southern  parts  of  Africa. 

It  would  appear,  that  after  all  that  has  been  accomplished  by  the  spot  and  row-counting 
philosophers,  the  distinction  between  Panthers  and  Leopards  is  by  no  means  made  out ;  and  we 
take  it,  that  whenever  Nature  means  to  mark  a  distinction  of  this  sort,  she  always  does  it  with  a 
firmer  hand,  and  more  decisive  line. 


S3 
$ 

sa 
si 


CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS.  17 


No.  XIV. 

STUBBS,  who  had  most  likely  paid  sufficient  attention  to  what  the  naturalists  had  previously 
said  on  the  subject—  and  whom  no  naturalist  has  exceeded  in  accuracy  of  observation — appears  to 
have  here  sketched  out  the  differences,  and  the  resemblances,  between  these  two  animals — if  two 
they  may  be  termed.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  one  which  we  esteem  to  be  the  LEOPARD —the 
nearer  figure  of  the  two— is  somewhat  smaller  than  the  other,  and  .that  the  dark  spots  on  her  body 
are  not  clustered  in  roselets,  or  oilettes,  as  they  have  sometimes  been  called ;  while  on  the  body  of 
the  PANTHER,  they  are,  and  indeed  everywhere,  excepting-  on  his  head  and  fore-leg's.  In  short, 
STUBBS'S  delineation  agrees  best  with  the  definition  of  CUVIER,  whose  discernment  and 
philosophical  tact  are  by  no  means  inferior  to  that  indefatigability  for  which  he  is  praised  by 
GRIFFITH. 

Of  this  Leopard  and  Panther,  the  actions  and  expression  (although  not  the  character — their 
noses  and  mouths  being  of  longer  and  larger  proportions)  are  very  much  those  of  the  common 
domestic  Cat,  when  in  a  playful  mood.  Something  there  is  of  burlesque  clumsiness  in  their  play 
— resembling  HERCULES  with  the  distaff;  and  something  of  that  assumed  look  which  may  be 
observed  among-  Cats  while  frolicking  with  their  young'.  And  these  kindly  and  droll  expressions 
of  countenance — these  "  quips  and  cranks,  and  wanton  wiles," —  are  doubtless  very  well  understood 
among  the  carnivorous  comedians,  notwithstanding  that  to  some  of  ourselves,  they  may  not  appear 
to  amount  to  much :  yet  the  difference  of  these  our  engraved  heads  of  a  playful  Leopard  and 
Panther,  and  the  ocular  expressions  of  such  animals  when  raging1  with  hunger,  or  rendered  angry 
by  opposition,  is  immense,  and  could  not  fail,  if  presented  together,  to  be  strikingly  obvious  to  those 
who  are  in  the  least  studious  of  the  physiognomical  variations  of  the  ferocious  tribe.  Let  the 
reader  compare  them  with  the  threatening-  LION  and  defying  TIGER  among  the  rocks,  after  the 
same  master,  which  we  have  numbered  19. 

Horse-play  is  proverbially  unwelcome :  Panther-play  must  be  worse.  We  cannot  associate 
the  idea  of  the  endurance  of  it  within  reach  of  man.  But  where  Cats  and  Kittens  are  occasionally 
permitted  in  the  parlour,  there  is  comparative  harmlessness.  And  who  has  not  witnessed  with 
delight,  among  the  rat-catching  carnivora  in  their  joyous  moments,  those  spontaneous  and  electrical 
kindlings  of  various  and  rapid  fun,  which  must  have  made  HERACLITUS  laugh,  could  he  have  seen 
them,  and  have  been  a  lesson  to  LAVATER. 


18  CAENIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS. 


No.  XV. 

A  LION  and  LIONESS,  after  RUBENS,  where  we  esteem  the  execution — more  especially  of  the 
parts  which  are  brought  into  muscular  action,  and  the  rich  hairy  texture  of  the  fur — to  be  hig-hly 
creditable  to  the  artists  concerned.  In  these  respects,  it  transcends  beyond  all  comparison  the 
Etching  by  PICART  of  the  same  subject.  We  were  about  to  say  more  of  these  things,  and  to 
request  attention  more  particularly  to  the  hinder  parts  of  the  female,  but  the  knit  brow  and  threaten- 
ing- eye  of  the  Lion  glares  upon  us  with  its  high  claims,  and  terrible  truth,  and  we  cannot  but 
perceive  a  broad,  pervading-,  and  dextrous  display  of  light,  shade,  and  expression  of  texture. — 
Now,  where  there  is  just  harmony  of  parts,  it  is  the  whole  which  merits  praise ;  and  this  praise  is 
of  a  hig-her  kind  than  could  possibly  be  bestowed  with  propriety  on  any  part. 

The  Expression  of  the  Lion  is  not  here  so  self-possessed  and  majestic  as  in  some  of  the  examples 
which  we  have  passed.  His  magnanimity  is  exchang-ed  for  that  dark  treachery  and  cruel-minded- 
ness,  which  some  modern  authors  ascribe  to  him.  Nor  is  the  Lioness  more  amiable :  both  seem 
lurking,  malicious,  and  as  if  animated  by  some  horrid  hope. 

RUBENS  seems  to  have  let  them  into  his  Assyrian  den,  in  order  to  let  the  world  see  from  how 
dreadful  animals  Providence  was  protecting  its  favoured  minister. 


No.  XVI. 

RUBENS  has  here  painted  one  Lion  as  scowling,  another  as  if  in  a  sort  of  mysterious 
meditation,  and  a  third  yawning  with  ennui — no  doubt  to  diversify  a  composition  wherein  he  was 
of  necessity  obliged  to  introduce  a  considerable  number  of  animals  of  the  same  kind. 

The  Lion  has  been,  of  all  quadrupeds  whatever,  the  most  idealised  by  the  Arts,  and  the  most 
variously  represented.  The  tide  of  opinion  ran  for  centuries  in  his  favour.  Kings  took  their 
designations  from  him  :  amongst  whom  have  been  our  first  RICHARD  ;  but  of  late  years  very  reputa- 
ble travellers  and  other  authors  have  appeared,  who  would  bring  down  the  poetic  generosity,  the 
reputation  of  which  the  Lion  has  so  long  enjoyed,  to  the  plain  prose  craft  and  cruelty  of  the  rest 
of  the  feline  tace. 

The  noble  disdain  with  which  a  Lioness,  though  half  famished,  and  "  with  udders  all  drawn 
dry/'—  scorned  to  prey  on  a  sleeping  man— Must  we  part  with  the  sentiment?  Must  we  also 
disbelieve  the  story  which  has  been  commemorated  by  a  large  French  engraving,  of  a  Lion  gently 


i 

«v 


.  « 


'•*• 


CARNIVOROUS   QUADRUPEDS.  19 

taking1  up  in  his  mouth  a  fallen  infant,  and  as  gently  setting-  it  down  again,  to  the  infinite  delight 
of  its  terrified  mother  ? — Such  anecdotes  have  pleased  and  flattered  us ;  but  may  possibly  have 
g-ained  undeserved  credit  because  they  pleased,  and  have  pleased  because  they  flattered — human 
nature. 


No.  XVII. 

Repeated  instances  of  FRIENDSHIPS  BETWEEN  THE  LION  AND  THE  DOG,  have  occurred  at  the 
Menagerie  at  the  Tower,  as  well  as  elsewhere  in  Eng-land  :  and  we  have  pleasure  in  adding-  a  corro- 
borating- fact  of  a  novel  character.  Mr.  EDWIN  LANDSEER  made  it  the  subject  of  a  Drawing-  from 
Nature,  and  we  here  present  the  public  with  an  Engraving-  after  it,  executed  by  his  brother,  and 
numbered  in  our  collection,  16. 

A  female  whelp  was  accidentally  found,  quite  young-,  and  even  before  its  eye-lids  were  unclosed, 
in  an  African  forest  not  far  from  the  sea  shore.  It  was  broug-ht  on  board  ship  by  some  sailors, 
where  a  smallish  black  bitch,  by  birth  quite  an  ig-noble  cur,  having-  recently  pupped,  the  experi- 
ment was  successfully  made,  of  ascertaining-  whether  she  would  suckle  the  young-  Lioness,  who 
was  christened  Charlotte. —  Charlotte  soon  began  to  thrive,  and  to  play  kitten  frolics  j  and  con- 
tinued to  be  thus  nurtured,  till,  at  no  great  leng-th  of  time,  she  became  so  much  larg-er  than  her 
foster-parent,  and  required  so  much  food,  as  to  induce  the  necessity  of  weaning-  her. 

But  the  two  quadrupeds  continued,  ever  after,  to  live  together  on  the  most  friendly  and 
affectionate  terms ;  constantly  inhabiting-  the  same  cage,  and  habitually  partaking-  of  the  same 
messes  of  provision.  The  Lioness,  though  now  grown  large,  having  never  seen  any  other  mother, 
continued  through  life  to  shew  marks  of  daughterly  obedience,  and  the  bitch,  of  maternal  regard. 
Mr.  EDWIN  LANDSEER,  as  well  as  many  others,  has  frequently  seen  them  caressing  each  other 
in  their  cage  at  the  Exeter  'Change  Menagerie,  in  the  manner  which  he  has  represented :  the 
Drawing,  which  exhibits  portraits  both  of  the  LIONESS  and  BITCH,  having  been  done  some 
years  ago. 

And  these  kitten  frolics,  or  the  youthful  disposition  to  indulge  in  them,  continued  on  the  part  of 
the  Lioness,  till  her  older  and  graver  nurse  became  tired  of  the  lion-play,  and  would  sometimes  snarl 
and  bark  forbiddingly.  It  was  very  entertaining,  and  an  interesting  chapter  in  Natural  History,  to 
behold  this  ;  for  the  Bitch  ever  retained  an  ascendancy,  and  much  of  the  authority,  of  a  parent :  so 
that  her  foster-daughter,  though  so  much  larger,  and  so  tremendously  powerful,  would  retire 


20  CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS. 

obediently  to  the  farther  corner  of  the  cage,  waiting-  a  favourable  change  of  temper,  on  the  part  of 
her  senior,  before  she  renewed  her  playful  familiarities. 

On  a  principle  of  prudence,  however,  and  because  it  was  judged  that  if  these  inmates  of  the 
same  refectory,  ever  quarrelled,  it  would  be  at  a  meal-time,  they  were  of  late  separately  fed  :  that 
is  to  say,  not  at  separate  times,  or  tables,  but,  at  opposite  corners  of  the  apartment :  but  the  Bitch 
has  often  been  known  to  help  herself  out  of  Charlotte's  portion,  without  fear  or  ceremony,  and  her 
majesty  to  shew  no  resentment,  nor  any  kind  of  royal  displeasure  or  hurt  feeling-,  at  the  indecorum. 

We  esteem  this  Engraving  to  afford  a  fair  example  of  the  positive,  or  negative,  power  of  the 
sovereign  of  the  forest,  of  physiognomical^  expressing  the  gentler  emotions.  But  it  occurs  to  us 
here — and  we  mention  it  in  reference  to  an  .argument  maintained  in  an  earlier  part  of  this  disserta- 
tion—  that  perhaps  licking  with  the  tongue  may  belong-  to  the  dumb  language  of  quadrupedal 
expression  of  affection.  But  the  Dog',  and  the  Cat,  kind,  express  themselves  in  this  way ;  and 
amongst  each  other,  it  cannot  be  misunderstood — the  affectionate  idea  being  impressed  at  the 
period  of  their  very  earliest  susceptibilities,  and  associated — perhaps  as  indissolubly  as  the  human 
endearments  of  smiles  and  kissing— with  their  youngest,  purest,  and  most  permanent  recollec- 
tions. 


No.  XVIII. 

IN  this  plate  the  ideas  of  expeditious  motion,  and  quest,  are  admirably  depicted  :— kept  up 
from  stem  to  stern ;  he  is  evidently  bent  on  destruction. — This  is  he  that  appeared  to  the  terrified 
imagination  of  COLLINS'S  Oriental  camel-driver,  who,  in  his  beautiful  Eclogue,  exclaims— 

"  What,  if  the  LION  in  his  rage  I  meet  !" 

And  the  determined  purpose  which  pervades  the  whole  frame  and  the  mind  of  the  sallying-  hero,  is 
seen  in  his  resolute  look,  as"  well  as  in  every  motion  of  his  muscular  limbs — aye,  to  the  very  tuft  at 
the  extremity  of  his  tail.  All  is  expressive  of  his  plenitude  of  animation,  and  prey  is  obviously  his 
purpose.  None  can  mistake  him. 

This  will  probably  be  thought  another  of  the  instances  in  which  the  present  artists  have  been 
eminently  successful  in  the  execution  of  their  subject.  (For  the  design  they  were  indebted  to  the 
etching-needle  of  RIDINGER.)  The  shag  of  the  mane  is  characteristically  varied  from  the  short 


I 

ft 


5=3 


CARNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS.  21 

hair  which  covers  the  face,  body,  and  limbs  j  the  anatomy  is  ably  indicated ;  and  the  chiaroscuro 


is  vig'orous. 


The  hunters  say  that  a  dozen  or  fifteen  dogs,  trained  to  the  sport,  will  overpower  a  Lion  before 
he  can  strike  many  blows :  but  these  are  the  limbs  which  "  at  every  blow  destroy  an  enemy." 

We  have  next  to  treat  of  the  ROYAL  TIGER  OF  BENGAL,  beautiful,  powerful,  fierce,  and 
unrelenting. — Terrible,  yet  admirable  ! 

Mr.  BEWICK  says  that  the  Tiger  "  is  the  most  rapacious  and  destructive  of  all  carnivorous 
animals.  Fierce  without  provocation,  and  cruel  without  necessity,  its  thirst  for  blood  is  insatiable. 
Though  glutted  with  slaughter,  it  continues  its  carnage ;  it  fears  neither  the  sight  nor  the  opposi- 
tion of  man,  whom  it  frequently  makes  its  prey ;  and  it  is  even  said  to  prefer  human  flesh  to  that 
of  any  other  animal :"  a  fact  which  is  confirmed  by  COLONEL  WILLIAMSON,  and  Mr.  PAUL  of  Daud- 
pore,  the  latter  of  whom  has  the  reputation  of  having  killed  as  many  Tigers  as  any  hundred  other 
men  in  India. 

The  strength  of  this  animal  is  so  great,  that  when  it  has  killed  a  Deer,  it  carries  it  oft' 
with  much  ease.  WOOD  relates  a  story,  on  good  authority,  of  a  Buffalo  being  carried  off 
by  one ;  but  it  had  previously  refreshed  itself  by  sucking  the  Buffalo's  blood.  The  latter  had 
been  hampered,  and  was  weakened  by  its  struggles  in  a  quagmire;  and  the  Tiger  let  fall  its 
prey,  and  fled  at  the  approach  of  some  Indian  peasants.  We  must  suppose,  too,  this  Tiger 
to  have  been  one  of  the  largest,  and  of  extraordinary  power,  for  COLONEL  WILLIAMSON  reports 
that  in  the  public  combats  that  are  sometimes  exhibited  in  India,  between  Tigers  and  Buffaloes, 
the  latter  is  commonly  the  victor. 

But  the  eagerness  of  its  voracity  is  believed  to  transcend  that  of  any  other  creature  whatever. 
If  undisturbed  at  the  commencement  of  its  meal,  it  plunges  its  head  into  the  body  of  its  reeking 
victim,  up  to  the  very  eyes,  in  order  to  glut  itself  with  the  bloody  enjoyment.  Oysters  are  not 
opened  and  swallowed  with  more  zest  and  avidity. 


22  CAKNIVOROUS    QUADRUPEDS. 


No.  XIX. 

THE  commencement  of  such  A  CABNIVOKOUS  FEAST,  where  the  TIGEB  has  seized  and 
slain— not  a  wild  Buffalo,  but  a  BULLOCK,  from  the  tame  herds  of  Hindostan.  As  the  cattle 
descend  toward  the  river  to  drink,  their  crafty  enemy  lies  in  ambush  among  the  jungle,  or 
creeps  along  cautiously '  and  unseen;  and,  watching  a  favourable  opportunity,  makes  his 

murderous  spring. 

Althouo-h  WILLIAMSON  corroborates  MK.  BEWICK'S  account  of   the  Tiger's  fondness   of 

O 

human  flesh,  he  does  not  agree  to  that  of  its  fearlessness.  On  the  contrary,  he  thinks  that  on 
occasions  where  Tigers  have  seemed  fearless,  momentary  anguish  or  resentment,  has  been  their 
real  stimulus ;  and  adds,  that  "  the  Tiger  is,  of  all  beasts  of  prey,  the  most  cowardly  ;  its  treacherous 
disposition  induces  it,  almost  without  exception,  to  conceal  itself  until  its  prey  may  arrive  within 
reach  of  its  spring,  be  its  victim  either  bulky  or  diminutive.  Size  seems  to  occasion  no  deviation 
in  the  Tiger's  system  of  attack,  which  is  founded  on  the  art  of  surprising.  We  find,  accordingly, 
that  such  as  happen  to  keep  the  opposite  side  of  a  road,  by  which  they  are  somewhat  beyond  the 
the  first  spring-,  often  escape  injury;  the  Tiger  being  unwilling  to  be  seen  before  he  is  felt.  Hence 
it  is  rarely  that  a  Tiger  pursues  ;  but,  if  the  situation  permit,  his  cunning  will  not  fail  to  effect  his 
purpose,  he  will  steal  along  the  road-side  among  the  bushes  parallel  with  the  traveller's  course, 
until  one  of  the  many  chances  which  present  themselves  of  finding  him  within  reach,  induces  to 
the  attack.  Often,  where  the  country  is  rather  too  open  to  allow  his  proceeding-  in  this  manner, 
the  Tiger  will  take  a  sweep  among  underwood  or  through  ravines,  in  order  to  meet  the  traveller 
again  at  a  spot  whence  he  may  make  his  spring. 

"Tigers  are  extremely  partial  to  such  sites  as  command  a  road,  selecting  one  rather 
less  frequented,  in  preference  to  one  that  is  much  in  use.  In  the  former,  they  are  certain  of 
finding  as  much  as  will  answer  their  daily  wants.  If,  however,  the  haunt  be  on  a  public  road,  it 
is  usually  at  some  spot  abounding  with  grass  or  bushes,  especially  the  prauss,  and  in  the  vicinity 
of  some  ample  cover  supplied  with  water,  to  which  the  prey  can  be  dragged.  There,  in  some  low, 
opake  spot,  the  sanguinary  meal  is  consummated  in  gloomy  silence. 

"  It  should  be  observed,  that  for  the  most  part  the  Tiger  chooses  his  station  on  that  side  of 
the  road  which  is  opposite  to  his  haunt ;  so  that,  when  he  seizes  his  prey,  he  proceeds  straight 
forward,  without  having  occasion  to  turn,  and  thus  drags  it  across  mostly  at  a  trot.  If  he  missos 
his  aim,  he  will  rarely  return,  unless  attacked ;  but,  in  a  sullen  manner,  either  skulks  through 
the  cover ;  or,  if  the  country  be  not  sufficiently  close  to  conceal  his  motions,  he  moves  on  at  a 
canter." 


CARNIVOROUS   QUADRUPEDS.  23 

Finding1  the  same  anecdotes  of  Lions  and  Tigers  repeated  from  book  to  book,  the  present 
writer  has  in  general  avoided  to  reiterate  what  he  conceived  would  in  most  instances  prove  to  have 
been  already  read :  but  he  cannot  wholly  pass  that  in  which  a  lady — next  to  the  Royal  Tiger 
himself — was  the  principal  figure ;  more  especially  as  it  illustrates  a  fact  of  natural  history  not 
useless  for  Oriental  travellers  to  be  acquainted  with — namely,  the  susceptibility  of  the  Tiger  of 
sudden  alarm. 

Some  ladies  and  gentlemen  being  on  a  party  of  pleasure,  under  a  shade  of  trees  on  the 
banks  of  a  river  in  Bengal,  were  suddenly  surprised  at  seeing  a  Tiger  ready  to  make  its  fatal 
spring.  One  of  the  ladies,  with  amazing  presence  of  mind,  laid  hold  of  an  umbrella,  and  unfurling 
it  directly  in  the  animal's  face,  it  instantly  retired. 

The  following  also  confirms  WILLIAMSON'S  account  of  the  Tigers  Avhich  are  brought  up  tame 
by  some  of  the  mendicant  Indian  priests  who  inhabit  the  banks  of  the  Ganges. 

A  beautiful  young  male  Tiger  was  brought  from  China,  some  twenty  years  ago  in  the  Pitt 
East  Indiaman :  at  the  age  of  ten  months  it  Avas  so  far  domesticated,  as  to  admit  every  kind  of 
familiarity  from  the  people  on  board.  It  seemed  to  be  quite  harmless,  and  was  as  playful  as  a 
kitten.  It  frequently  slept  with  the  sailors  in  their  hammocks,  and  would  suffer  two  or  three  of 
them  to  repose  their  heads  upon  its  back,  as  upon  a  pillow,  whilst  it  lay  stretched  out  upon  the 
deck.  In  return  for  this,  it  would,  however,  now  and  then  steal  their  meat.  Having  one  day 
taken  a  piece  of  beef  from  the  carpenter,  he  followed  the  animal,  took  the  meat  out  of  its  mouth, 
and  beat  it  severely  for  the  theft ;  which  punishment  it  suffered  with  all  the  patience  of  a  clog.  It 
would  frequently  run  out  on  the  bowsprit ;  climb  about  the  ship  like  a  cat ;  and  perform  a  number 
of  tricks  with  an  agility  that  was  truly  astonishing.  There  was  a  Dog  on  board  the  ship,  with 
which  it  would  often  play  in  the  most  diverting  manner.  But  it  ought  to  be  remembered  at  the 
time  this  Tiger  was  taken  on  board  the  ship,  it  was  only  a  month  or  six  weeks  old ;  and  when 
arrived  in  this  country,  it  had  not  quite  completed  a  year. 


No.  XX. 

THREE  small  LIONS,  on  a  single  Plate ;  forming  a  sort  of  tail-piece,  and  bringing  up  the 
rear  of  our  carnivorous  procession. 

This  plate  exhibits  three  different  VARIETIES.  THE  LION  OF  SENEGAL,  nearly  in  profile, 
reclined,  but  under  the  influence  of  some  slight  degree  of  irritation ;  the  black-maned  LION  of 
AFRICA  ;  and  the  common  LIONESS  of  ASIA,  regaling  herself  on  a  dead  bird. 


24  CARNIVOROUS   QUADRUPEDS. 

The  upper  and  lower  subjects,  are  after  RIDINGER.  The  African  Lion,  in  the  middle,  is 
originally  from  REMBRANDT,  but  has  passed  through  the  medium  of  an  indifferent  Etching-  by 
PICART;  and,  like  the  rest,  has  finally  been  corrected  by  a  reference  to  Nature. — We  believe  it 
was  corrected  from  the  specimen  that  was  some  few  years  ago  presented  to  LADY  CASTLEREAGH  ; 
which  was  exhibited  at  Exeter  'Change,  and  of  which  MR.  EDWIN  LANDSEER  and  MR.  THOMAS 
CHRISTMAS  had  the  post-obit,  reversion. 


G.    NORMAN,    PRINTER,    MAIDEN    LANE,    COVENT    GARDEN. 


SUPPLEMENTAKY    PLATES. 


PLATE  XXI. 

NEPTUNE,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEER,  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

A  beautiful  and  highly  characteristic  engraving  of  a  favourite  Newfoundland  Dog. 
It  is  engraved  by  Mr.  Thomas  Landseer  from  a  drawing  by  his  brother  Edwin,  and  highly 
admired  as  a  faithful  likeness  of  the  original. 

PLATE  XXII. 

BRUTUS,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEER,  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

The  property  of  Edwin  Landseer,  Esq.  Good  judges  may  at  once  perceive  in  this  portrait 
the  points  that  constitute  a  thorough  good  one  of  the  breed.  Rough,  wiry  and  strong,  with  eyes 
almost  concealed,  Brutus  is  yet  active,  vigilant  and  courageous,  possessing  in  great  perfection 
the  qualities  most  desirable  in  the  terrier. 

PLATE  XXIII. 

A  CROSS  OF  THE  DOG  AND  FOX,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEER,  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

The  subject  of  this  fine  engraving  had  occasioned  much  doubt  in  the  minds  of  naturalists, 
but  the  question  as  to  its  reality  was  decided,  by  the  fact  of  the  animal  whose  portrait  we  give, 
having  been  produced  from  a  tan  terrier  bitch  and  a  tame  dog1  fox. 


PLATE  XXIV. 

DOGS    SETTING   A    HARE,    PAINTED   BY   E.   LANDSEER,    ENGRAVED    BY   T.    LANDSEER. 

Two  dogs  having  caught  the  side  wind  of  a  hare  are  making  a  highly  characteristic  point. 
Nothing  can  more  forcibly  express  that  mute  animation  which  gives  so  highly-toned  a  finish  to 
the  abilities  of  the  setting  dog  as  this  vigorous  and  faithful  delineation  of  their  countenances. 
The  Pointer  is  placed  in  a  very  interesting  attitude  admirably  contrasted  with  the  well  chosen 
position  of  the  setter  his  companion ;  while  the  hare,  the  object  of  their  attraction,  is  not  only 
judiciously  placed,  but  the  representation  is  strikingly  true  to  nature.  This  representation  of 
dogs  setting  a  hare  displays  not  only  a  correct  knowledge  of  the  subject  but  is  one  of  those  faithful 
delineations  that  cannot  fail  to  merit  the  most  unqualified  approbation. 


26  SUPPLEMENTARY   PLATES. 

PLATE  XXV. 

VIXEN,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEER,  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

A  thorough- bred  Scottish  terrier,  a  favourite  portrait  by  Mr.  Edwin  Landseer  who  has 
repeated  her  in  several  of  his  pictures. 

PLATE  XXVI. 

Fox  HOUNDS  OF  THE  HATFIELD  HUNT,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEER, 
ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

This  sketch  contains  portraits  of  five  of  the  principal  fox  hounds  belonging1  to  the  above 
Hunt. 


PLATE  XXVII. 

PROCTOR,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEER,  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

Study  of  a  head  of  a  Blood-hound.     This  engraving1  is  of  a  very  celebrated  dog1,  and  the 
character  of  its  peculiar  species  is  well  delineated. 


PLATE  XXVIII. 

BOB,   A   FAVOURITE   TERRIER,    PAINTED    BY   E.    LANDSEER,    ENGRAVED    BY   T.    LANDSEER. 

This  engraving-  represents  a  fine  wire-haired  specimen  of  his  race,  engaged  in  his  favourite 
pursuit  in  his  native  wilds. 

PLATE  XXIX. 

THE  POACHER,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEER,  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 
Is  not  one  of  those  who 

"  Take  delight  of  a  shiny  night, 
In  the  season  of  the  year," 

to  pop  pheasants  from  their  perches  with  an  air  gun,  or  who  sets  "  springes  to  catch  woodcocks," 
but  it  is  he  who 

"  Skulks  along 

Sleek  at  the  shepherd's  cost,  and  plump  with  meals 
Purloined;" 

:c  The  wily  Fox,"  and  a  very  beautiful  animal  Mr.  Landseer  has  made  of  him.     The  description 
we  have  quoted,  finds  in  the  picture  an  apt  illustration. 


SUPPLEMENTARY    PLATES.  27 

PLATE  XXX. 

ALPINE  MASTIFF,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEEB,  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

The  drawing1  from  which  the  present  plate  was  engraved,  was  made  from  a  very  noble 
Alpine  mastiff,  which  at  that  time  although  not  full  grown,  was  the  largest  dog  in  England. 


PLATE  XXXI. 

OLD  DOG,  LOOKS  LIKE  A  PICTURE,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEER,  ENGRAVED  BY  J.  WEBB. 

An  expressive  picture,  which  betokens  the  subject,  old  in  honour  and  years,  and  still 
following  his  favourite  pursuit. 


PLATE  XXXII. 

FIGHT  BETWEEN  JACKO  AND  Puss,  SKETCHED  AND  ETCHED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

The  animals  here  so  cleverly  represented,  and  at  the  spot  of  their  actual  and  sanguinary 
contest,  were  etched  by  T.  Landseer,  from  a  sketch  made  at  the  time  by  himself. 


PLATE  XXXIII. 

LITTLE  BILLY,  DRAWN  AND  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

The  spirited  and  faithful  style  in  which  Mr.  Landseer  has  executed  this  embellishment, 
presents  us  a  portrait  of  a  species  of  animal  which  was  a  great  favourite  with  our  ancestors,  and 
was  as  ferocious  to  an  enemy  as  faithful  to  a  friend. 


PLATE  XXXIV. 

BLACK  CAP,  PAINTED  BY  Gr.  H.  LAPORTE,  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 
Is  a  clever  specimen  of  a  perfect  Harrier's  head,  ably  treated. 

PLATE  XXXV. 

DEAD  BED  DEER,  PAINTED  BY  E.  LANDSEER,  ENGRAVED  BY  J.  B.  SCOTT. 
Gives  us  the  spoils  of  the  chase  lifeless  and  rigid  j  the  accessories  to  the  picture  are  well  told. 


gg  SUPPLEMENTAKY    PLATES. 

PLATE  XXXVI. 

TIGER  HUNT,  PAINTED  AND  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

Tigers  are  hunted  in  India  by  Elephants  assisted  by  fleet  horses.  We  have  in  this  clever 
picture  a  Tiger  couching-  amongst  the  jungle  seemingly  undetermined  whether  to  spring  or  to  make 
off,  the  horse  scared  and  frightened  evidently  has  come  upon  him  unexpectedly  j  an  Elephant  at  a 
little  distance  is  hastening  towards  the  spot. 


PLATE  XXXVII. 

TIGER  TAKING  THE  WATER,  PAINTED  BY  SIR  CHARLES  D'OYLY,  ENGRAVED  BY 

T.  LANDSEER. 

The  Tiger  having  been  driven  from  the  jungle  and  hunted  over  the  plain,  as  a  last  resort 
takes  to  the  water.  He  is  here  represented  just  after  having  entered,  his  powerful  paws  half 
above  the  water  preparing  to  make  a  stroke,  whilst  his  tail  stiff  and  outstretched  serves  the 
purpose  of  a  rudder.  The  hunters  on  their  elephants  from  the  bank  of  the  river  are  taking  a 
deliberate  aim  at  him. 


PLATE  XXXVIII. 

ELEPHANTS  RETURNING  FROM  THE  HUNT,  PAINTED  BY  SIR  CHARLES  D'OYLY,  ENGRAVED 

BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

The  Hunter  seemingly  tired  of  hunting  on  horseback  has  dismounted,  and  is  climbing  up 
the  side  of  an  elephant  who  kneels,  whilst  the  fruit  of  the  chase  is  upon  the  back  of  another,  and  a 
third  is  making  his  way  through  the  jungle. 


PLATE  XXXIX. 

RED  DEER,  PAINTED  BY  R.  HILLS,  ENGRAVED  BY  T.  LANDSEER. 

A  very  clever  work  of  Art  upon  which  the  great  and  universally  acknowledged  taste  and 
talents  of  Mr.  Thomas  Landseer  have  been  carefully  bestowed.  Both  Painter  and  Engraver  have 
done  justice  to  the  subject ;  few  things  can  be  finer  than  the  stag  in  the  foreground,  or  more 
effective  than  the  brace  of  Does  approaching  upwards,  as  it  were,  from  a  romantic  and  obscure 
retirement. 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO  LIBRARY 


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Landseer,  Thomas 

Engravings  of  lions