262 DARWINISM STATED BY DARWIN HIMSELF. 



posite state of mind is induced, there is a strong and in- 

 voluntary tendency to the performance of movements of 

 a directly opposite nature, though these have never been 

 of any service. 



When a dog approaches a strange dog or man in a 

 savage or hostile frame of mind, he walks upright and 

 very stiffly ; his head is slightly raised, or not much low- 

 ered ; the tail is held erect and quite rigid ; the hairs 

 bristle, especially along the neck and back ; the pricked 

 ears are directed forward, and the eyes have a fixed stare. 

 These actions follow from the dog's intention to attack 

 his enemy, and are thus to a large extent intelligible. 

 As he prepares to spring with a savage growl on his 

 enemy, the canine teeth are uncovered, and the ears are 

 pressed close backward on the head ; but with these lat- 

 ter actions we are not here concerned. Let us now sup- 

 pose that the dog suddenly discovers that the man whom 

 he is approaching is not a stranger, but his master ; and 

 let it be observed how completely and instantaneously his 

 whole bearing is reversed. Instead of walking upright, 

 the body sinks downward or even crouches, and is thrown 

 into flexuous movements ; his tail, instead of being held 

 stiff and upright, is lowered and wagged from side to 

 side ; his hair instantly becomes smooth ; his ears are 

 depressed and drawn backward, but not closely to the 

 head ; and his lips hang loosely. From the drawing back 

 of the ears, the eyelids become elongated, and the eyes 

 no longer appear round and staring. It should be added 

 that the animal is at such times in an excited condition 

 from joy ; and nerve-force will be generated in excess, 

 which naturally leads to action of some kind. Not one 

 of the above movements, so clearly expressive of affection, 

 are of the least direct service to the animal. They are 



