MAMMALIA—LION. 167 
for in this state of irritation, from whatever cause it ma, have arisen 
he gives free scope to his natural ferocity, unrestrained by that control t 
which, at other times, he submits with meek and unresisting patience.” 
It appears, however, to be a well authenticated fact, that neither the lio1 
nor the tiger can bear the steady gaze of the human eye, but are completely 
cowed by it. A writer in the South African Journal, says, “the Bechuanc 
chief, old Peyshow, now in Cape Town, conversing with me a few days ago, 
said that the lion very seldom attacks man if unprovoked; but he will 
frequently approach within a few paces and survey him steadily; and some- 
times he will attempt to get behind him, as if he could not stand his look, 
but was yet desirous of springing upon him unawares. Ifa person, in such 
circumstances, attempts either to fight or to fly, he incurs the most immi- 
nent peril; but if ne have sufficient presence of mind coolly to confront 
him, without appearance of either terror or aggression, the animal will, in 
almost every instance, after a little space, retire. The overmastering effect 
of the human eye upon the lion has been frequently mentioned, though 
much doubted by travellers; but, from my own inquiries among loon 
hunters, I am perfectly satisfied of the fact; and an anecdote related to me 
afew days ago, by Major Mackintosh, proves that this fascinating effect is 
not restricted to the lion. An officer in India, well known to my infor- 
mant, having chanced to ramble into a jungle, suddenly encountered a 
royal tiger. The rencontre appeared equally unexpected on both sides, 
and both parties made a dead halt, earnestly gazing on each other. 
The gentleman had no firearms, and was aware that a sword would be 
no effective defence in a struggle for life with such an antagonist! 
But he had heard that even the Bengal tiger might be sometimes check- 
2d by looking him firmly in the face. He did so: in a few minutes, 
the tiger, which appeared prepared to make his final spring, grew dis- 
turbed—slunk aside—and attempted to creep round upon him behind. 
The officer turned constanily upon the tiger, which still continued to shrink 
from his glance; but darting into the thicket, and again issuing forth ata 
different quarter, it persevered for above half an hour in this attempt to 
catch him by surprise; till at last it fairly yielded to the contest, and left 
the gentleman to pursue his pleasure walk. The direction he now took, as 
may be easily believed, was straight to the tents, at double quick time.” 
