OBSERVATIONS ON MAMMALS 253 



distinctive of a pained or distressed animal. A leopard 

 in pain resembles almost identically a leopard in a 

 state of anger, but the face displays a distressful 

 appearance, and it is difficult to determine what in- 

 dividual muscles are brought into play in the production 

 of it. The mouth is sometimes widely opened, and the 

 body may conform to almost any attitude. 



(5) EAGERNESS 



When the leopard feels intensely eager, as when it 

 is stealthily creeping towards its prey or crouching 

 low with the intention of springing on it, the atti- 

 tude and expression again become characteristic. It 

 crouches down so as to lower its body completely 

 to the ground. The hind limbs are flexed beneath 

 the trunk ready to be instantaneously extended when 

 the animal springs. The fore limbs are stretched 

 forwards, and the head, which is lowered on to them, 

 is so fixed that the jaws rest on the dorsal surface of 

 the feet, and the chin is firmly pressed on the ground 

 between them. The object of these movements is 

 clear when it is remembered that in the wild state 

 eagerness is excited by the presence of the animal's 

 prey. By the depression of the head and the shrink- 

 ing of the body the apparent bulk of the animal is 

 diminished and this gives him a greater opportunity of 

 reaching his prey. The tail is curled, the ears are 

 tilted forwards and the aural aperture enlarged to 

 catch the slightest sound. The eyes are fixed and 

 staring to note the gentlest movement. The mouth is 

 tightly shut so that the teeth are completely covered. 

 There is no twitching of the muscles or alterations in 

 the countenance. The hair is occasionally erected but 



