[9]
E. Spilsbury delt. T. Landseer sculpt.
Lion & Tiger after Stubbs.
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 office by other muscles, (the masticating and zygomatic muscles,) I have ventured to distinguish them particularly as the muscles of snarling. This action of snarling is quite peculiar to the ferocious and carnivorous animals.
“2. Muscles which surround the eye-lid. In man the upper eye-lid is raised by a muscle coming 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 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. 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 Mr. 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.