56 THE PRINCIPLE OF ANTITHESIS. Chap. II. 



the expression lies in the continuous flexuous move- 

 ments. 



"We will now turn to the cat. When this animal is 

 threatened hy a dog, it arches its back in a surprising 

 manner, erects its hair, opens its mouth and spits. 

 But we are not here concerned with this well-known 

 attitude, expressive of terror combined with anger; 

 we are concerned only with that of rage or anger. 

 This is not often seen, but mav be observed when two 

 cats are fighting together; and I have seen it well ex- 

 hibited by a savage cat whilst plagued by a boy. The 

 attitude is almost exactly the same as that of a tiger 

 disturbed and growling over its food, which every one 

 must have beheld in menageries. The animal assumes 

 a crouching position, with the body extended; and the 

 whole tail, or the tip alone, is lashed or curled from side 

 to side. The hair is not in the least erect. Thus far, 

 the attitude and movements are nearly the same as when 

 the animal is prepared to spring on its prey, and when, 

 no doubt, it feels savage. But when preparing to tight, 

 there is this difference, that the ears are closely pressed 

 backwards; the mouth is partially opened, showing the 

 teeth; the fore feet are occasionally struck out with 

 protruded claws; and the animal occasionally utters a 

 fierce growl. (See figs. 9 and 10.) All, or almost all, 

 these actions naturally follow (as hereafter to be ex- 

 plained), from the cat's manner and intention of attack- 

 ing its enemy. 



Let us now look at a cat in a directly opposite frame 

 of mind, whilst feeling affectionate and caressing her 

 master; and mark how opposite is her attitude in every 

 respect. She now stands upright with her back slightly 

 arched, which makes the hair appear rather rough, but 

 it does not bristle; her tail, instead of being extended 

 and lashed from side to side, is held quite stiff and per- 



