508 MUSCULAR MOTION. 



are, in all cases, the effect of habit, or are suddenly excited to accom- 

 plish some beneficial purpose. It is difficult, however, to regard the 

 different concomitants of the passion as separate from it. Without 

 them, the expression is incomplete; and, moreover, we observe the dif- 

 ferent gestures similarly developed in all the various races of mankind, 

 when affected with the same mental contention. We must, conse- 

 quently, regard the expressions as constituting a natural language, in 

 which each has its appropriate sign; and this view is confirmed by the 

 fact, that there are certain muscles of the face, which seem, in our 

 existing state of knowledge, to be exclusively destined for expression; 

 those about the eyebrows and angles of the mouth for example. When 

 the triangularis muscle and levator menti combine action, an expres- 

 sion is produced, which is peculiar to man ; the angle of the mouth is 

 drawn down, and the lip arched and elevated; hence the most con- 

 temptuous and proud expression. 



A question of a different character has, however, been mixed up with 

 this: whether the infant be capable instinctively or naturally of com- 

 prehending the difference between the facial expressions of kindness or 

 of frowns; some believing, that smiles are merely considered by it to 

 be expressions of kindness, because accompanied by endearments, 

 and frowns to be proofs of displeasure, because followed by punishment. 

 It is certain, however, that the infant interprets the countenance long 

 before it can trace such sequences in its mind; but this does not remove 

 the difficulty. The face of one, whom it has not been accustomed to 

 see, will, at a very early period, impress it unfavourably, although the 

 countenance may be unusually prepossessing; and the alteration of the 

 ordinary expression of the material countenance may be attended with 

 similar results. It is difficult, indeed, to comprehend how the child 

 should be capable of discriminating between the smile and frown, when 

 first presented to it. That organs may be associated in the expression 

 of any encephalic act is intelligible; but that an act of judgment can 

 be executed naturally or instinctively appears inexplicable. Sir Charles 

 Bell, 1 who maintains the doctrine of the instinctive character of the 

 expression of human passions, rejects the notion of instinctive expres- 

 sion in the face of the quadruped, contending that, even in the passion 

 of rage, which is the most strongly marked of all the changes that 

 occur in the features, are merely motions accessory to the great objects 

 of opposition, resistance, and defence. "In carnivorous animals," he 

 remarks, "the eyeball is terrible, and the retraction of the flesh of the 

 lips indicates the most savage fury. But the first is merely the excited 

 attention of the animal, and the other a preparatory exposure of the 

 canine teeth." It appears to be a sufficient answer to this view, that 

 no such expression is ever witnessed in other cases of excited attention, 

 or in the simple exposure of the canine teeth, when the animal is de- 

 vouring its food; unless, indeed, the repast be made during the exist- 

 ence of the passion. 



On a former occasion, it was remarked, that the encephalon is ex- 

 clusively concerned in the production of the different passions, and that 



1 Anat. of Expression, edit. cit. 



