Chap. VI. WEEPING. 14.7 



ing chapter. Here I shall almost confine myself to weep- 

 ing or crying, more especially in children. 



Infants, when suffering even slight pain, moderate 

 hunger, or discomfort, utter violent and prolonged 

 screams. Whilst thus screaming their eyes are firmly 

 closed, so that the skin round them is wrinkled, and the 

 forehead contracted into a frown. The mouth is widely 

 opened with the lips retracted in a peculiar manner, 

 which causes it to assume a squarish form; the gums 

 or teeth being more or less exposed. The breath is in- 

 haled almost spasmodically. It is easy to observe in- 

 fants whilst screaming; but I have found photographs 

 made by the instantaneous process the best means for 

 observation, as allowing more deliberation. I have col- 

 lected twelve, most of them made purposely for me; and 

 they all exhibit the same general characteristics. I have, 

 therefore, had six of them x (Plate I.) reproduced by the 

 heliotype process. 



The firm closing of the eyelids and consequent com- 

 pression of the eyeball, — and this is a most important 

 element in various expressions, — serves to protect the 

 eyes from becoming too much gorged with blood, as will 

 presently be explained in detail. With respect to the 

 order in which the several muscles contract in firmly 

 compressing the eyes, I am indebted to Dr. Langstaff, 

 of Southampton, for some observations, which I have 

 since repeated. The best plan for observing the order 

 is to make a person first raise his eyebrows, and this pro- 

 duces transverse wrinkles across the forehead; and then 

 very gradually to contract all the muscles round the eyes 



1 The best photographs in my collection are by Mr. 

 Rejlander, of Victoria Street, London, and by Herr Kinder- 

 mann, of Hamburg". Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 6 are by the former; 

 and tigs. 2 and 5, by the latter gentleman. Fig - . 6 is given 

 to show moderate crying in an older child. 



