256 Wild Beasts 



and its correlates in mental structure are to brutes abso- 

 lutely determinative. 



"Most carnivorous of the carnivora," writes W. N. 

 Lockington (" Riverside Natural History "), " formed to 

 devour, with every offensive weapon specialized to the 

 utmost, the Felidce, whether large or small, are relatively 

 to their size the fiercest, strongest, and most terrible of 

 beasts." The tiger stands at their head. He must needs 

 appreciate his destructive power and feel the desire to 

 exercise it. Inherited tendencies and the pressure of 

 necessity put his capabilities into action. Their exercise, 

 transmitted traits, and those experiences implied in habit, 

 make him what he is, — audacious, treacherous, wary, cun- 

 ning, ferocious. These characteristics answer to the ana- 

 tomical specialties by which his frame is distinguished, — 

 his convoluted and back-reaching forebrain, protective 

 coloring, differentiated and perfectly innervated muscles, 

 his simple digestive tract, formidable armature, and 

 padded feet. ^ 



