2 ±2 ANGER. Chai>. X. 



seen how naturally they take to biting, when in a passion. 

 It seems as instinctive in them as in young crocodiles, 

 who snap their little jaws as soon as they emerge from 

 the egg. 



A grinning expression and the protrusion of the lips 

 appear sometimes to go together. A close observer says 

 that he has seen many instances of intense hatred (which 

 can hardly be distinguished from rage, more or less sup- 

 pressed) in Orientals, and once in an elderly English 

 woman. In all these cases there " was a grin, not a scowl 

 — the lips lengthening, the cheeks settling downwards, 

 the eyes half-closed, whilst the brow remained perfectly 

 calm." " 



This retraction of the lips and uncovering of the teeth 

 during paroxysms of rage, as if to bite the offender, is 

 so remarkable, considering how seldom the teeth are 

 used by men in fighting, that I inquired from Dr. J. 

 Crichton Browne whether the habit was common in the 

 insane whose passions are unbridled. He informs me 

 that he has repeatedly observed it both with the insane 

 and idiotic, and has given me the following illustra- 

 tions: — 



Shortly before receiving my letter, he witnessed an 

 uncontrollable outbreak of anger and delusive jealousy 

 in an insane lady. At first she vituperated her husband, 

 and whilst doing so foamed at the mouth. Next she ap- 

 proached close to him with compressed lips, and a viru- 

 lent set frown. Then she drew back her lips, especially 

 the corners of the upper lip, and showed her teeth, at 

 the same time aiming a vicious blow at him. A second 

 case is that of an old soldier, who, when he is requested 

 to conform to the rules of the establishment, gives way 

 to discontent, terminating in fury. He commonly begins 



11 ' The Spectator,' July 11, 1S6S, p. 819. 



