MAMMALIA— LION. 167 



for in this state of irritation, from whatever cause it ma\ have arisen 

 he gives free scope to his natural ferocity, unrestrained by that control t< 

 which, at other times, he submits with meek and unresisting patience." 



It appears, however, to be a well authenticated fact, that neither the lioi 

 nor the tiger can bear the steady gaze of the human eye, but are completely 

 cowed by it. A writer in the South African Journal, says, " the Bechuanc 

 chief, old Peyshow, now in Cape Town, conversing with me a few days ago. 

 said that the lion very seldom attacks man if unprovoked ; but he will 

 frequently approach within a few paces and survey him steadily ; and some- 

 times he will attempt to get behind him, as if he could not stand his look, 

 but was yet desirous of springing upon him unawares. If a person, in such 

 circumstances, attempts either to fight or to fly, he incurs the most immi- 

 nent peril ; but if ne have sufficient presence of mind coolly to confront 

 him, without appearance of either terror or aggression, the animal will, in 

 almost every instance, after a little space, retire. The overmastering effect 

 of the human eye upon the lion has been frequently mentioned, though 

 much doubted by travellers ; but, from my own inquiries among lion 

 hunters, I am perfectly satisfied of the fact ; and an anecdote related to me 

 a few days ago, by Major Mackintosh, proves that this fascinating effect is 

 not restricted to the lion. An officer in India, Avell known to my infor- 

 mant, having chanced to ramble into a jungle, suddenly encountered a 

 royal tiger. The rencontre appeared equally unexpected on both sides, 

 and both parties made a dead halt, earnestly gazing on each other. 

 The gentleman had no firearms, and was aware that a sword would be 

 no effective defence in a struggle for life with such an antagonist ! 

 But he had heard that even the Bengal tiger might be sometimes check- 

 ed by looking him firmly in the face. He did so: in a few minutes, 

 the tiger, which appeared prepared to make his final spring, grew dis- 

 turbed — slunk aside — and attempted to creep round upon him behind. 

 The officer turned constantly upon the tiger, which still continued to shrink 

 from his glance ; but darting into the thicket, and again issuing forth at a 

 different quarter, it persevered for above half an hour in this attempt to 

 catch him by surprise ; till at last it fairly yielded to the contest, and left 

 the gentleman to pursue his pleasure walk. The direction he now took, as 

 may be easily believed, was straight to the tents, at double quick time." 



