CARNIVOROUS QUADRUPEDS. 



No. VI. 



IN this GROUP by MR. EDWIN LANDSEER there is much of violent animal Expression, and 

 Character fades before it, or rather, is absorbed in it. It tells a story of the past as well as the 

 present, and is pregnant with a catastrophe not difficult to anticipate from the actions and 

 expressions of the parties engaged. A FAWN has been seized by a LEOPARD, who has been 

 despoiled of his prey by a more powerful TIGER. The Tiger in his turn becomes the victim of an 

 enraged LION. 



The expression of the wounded Leopard is that of painful suffering- mingled with dread. 

 Together, they amount to agony. He shrieks while he submits. The Tiger is still enraged and 

 resisting, though astounded with the power and suddenness of the Lion's attack. He is losing his 

 energy of resistance, and is beginning to feel that all resistance is vain. He roars with anguish ; 

 while his expression is that of terror, and indignation not yet subdued. 



The Lion, who has just made his thundering spring, appears conscious of having fatally seized 

 his adversary, and luxuriates fearlessly in his victory ; and with a powerful and just expression of 

 carnivorous enjoyment. Meanwhile the characters of the animals, severally, are faithfully and 

 specifically represented. 



Although our main purpose be to exhibit rather a pictorial than a physiological view of the 

 subject : having descanted on the word Character, we shall probably be expected to add, at least 

 a word or two, on the leading characteristics of the carnivorous class of quadrupeds. 



The generic characters of the Feline, or Cat, kind, are easily enumerated in the concise 

 language of the naturalists. Their heads are round ; . their visages short : they have six cutting 

 teeth, and two canine, in either jaw : their tongues are aculeated, the prickles inclining backward ; 

 their claws sharp, hooked, and retractile ; their ears small and acuminated ; they have five toes on 

 each of the fore-feet, and four only on those behind. 



Of this genera of Cats, we here exhibit the four principal species, Lions, Tigers, Leopards, 

 and Panthers, of which the Lion is justly placed at the head at least, the unanimous voice of ages 

 has pronounced him to be the king of beasts, and we have enthroned him accordingly in our Title- 

 page, (No. I.) They form a tribe that is especially and properly Carnivorous, being the only 

 class of quadrupeds that are exclusively fash-eaters. Their jaws are very completely armed for 

 this purpose ; their canine teeth being very long and angular, with the edges of the angles turned 

 toward the inside of their mouths ; so that when the animal has caused them to meet, or cross each 

 other in the flesh of its prey, these formidable teeth will cut or tear a way through, by drawing 

 them back without opening his mouth. 



Their claws, and the formation of their feet, too, are eminently conducive to their predacious 



