Engravings of Lions, Tigers, Panthers and Leopards

No. X

The Tigress of Bengal, which has been designed, as well as etched, by Mr. Thomas Landseer, from that at the Exeter ’Change Menagerie, affords also a pertinent illustration of the principles which Mr. Bell had derived from combining study with dissection: theory with practice. The “three muscles infixed in the eye-lids, which, drawing the eye-lids backward upon the peculiarly prominent eye-ball, produce the fixed straining of the eye, and by stretching the coats, give a greater brilliancy to the reflection,” are here brought into action by a violent and unexpected outrage done to the maternal feelings. Here too is exemplified the origin, insertion, and physical use, of those snarling muscles, which are so properly named and defined by our learned anatomist. We cannot but wish, however, that he had written also of those of the lower jaw, which so powerfully conduce to this snarling and dreadful expression.

The mother has arrived at a fortunate conjuncture for her cubs, which lie sleeping below, in a small den or dark recess of the bank, whither a Serpent has stolen. Twisted among the jungle, which affords an advantageous post both of attack and defence for the Serpent—the Tigress has reason to dread an enemy so powerful and insidious; and, as in the preceding Engraving, both parties are prepared for the encounter, and fully aware of the importance of a first blow.