友情提示:如果本网页打开太慢或显示不完整,请尝试鼠标右键“刷新”本网页!阅读过程发现任何错误请告诉我们,谢谢!! 报告错误
热门书库 返回本书目录 我的书架 我的书签 TXT全本下载 进入书吧 加入书签

the expression of emotion in man and animals-第30章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



eing drawn backwards; but they are not pressed closely to the head;as in snarling; and they are not lowered; as when a dog is pleased or affectionate。  When two young dogs chase each other in play; the one that runs away always keeps his tail tucked inwards。 So it is when a dog; in the highest spirits; careers like a mad creature round and round his master in circles; or in figures of eight。  He then acts as if another dog were chasing him。 This curious kind of play; which must be familiar to every one who has attended to dogs; is particularly apt to be excited; after the animal has been a little startled or frightened; as by his master suddenly jumping out on him in the dusk。 In this case; as well as when two young dogs are chasing each other in play; it appears as if the one that runs away was afraid of the other catching him by the tail; but as far as I can find out; dogs very rarely catch each other in this manner。 I asked a gentleman; who had kept foxhounds all his life; and be applied to other experienced sportsmen; whether they had ever seen hounds thus seize a fox; but they never had。 It appears that when a dog is chased; or when in danger of being struck behind; or of anything falling on him; in all these cases he wishes to withdraw as quickly as possible his whole hind…quarters; and that from some sympathy or connection between the muscles; the tail is then drawn closely inwards。 A similarly connected movement between the hind… quarters and the tail may be observed in the hyaena。  Mr。 Bartlett informs me that when two of these animals fight together; they are mutually conscious of the wonderful power of each other's jaws; and are extremely cautious。  They well know that if one of their legs were seized; the bone would instantly be crushed into atoms; hence they approach each other kneeling; with their legs turned as much as possible inwards; and with their whole bodies bowed; so as not to present any salient point; thetail at the same time being closely tucked in between the legs。  In this attitude they approach each other sideways; or even partly backwards。 So again with deer; several of the species; when savage and fighting; tuck in their tails。  When one horse in a field tries to bite the hind…quarters of another in play; or when a rough boy strikes a donkey from behind; the hind…quarters and the tail are drawn in; though it does not appear as if this were done merely to save the tail from being injured。  We have also seen the reverse of these movements; for when an animal trots with high elastic steps; the tail is almost always carried aloft。 As I have said; when a dog is chased and runs away; he keeps his ears directed backwards but still open; and this is clearly done for the sake of hearing the footsteps of his pursuer。 From habit the ears are often held in this same position; and the tail tucked in; when the danger is obviously in front。 I have repeatedly noticed; with a timid terrier of mine; that when she is afraid of some object in front; the nature of which she perfectly knows and does not need to reconnoitre; yet she will for a long time hold her ears and tail in this position; looking the image of discomfort。  Discomfort; without any fear; is similarly expressed:  thus; one day I went out of doors; just at the time when this same dog knew that her dinner would be brought。 I did not call her; but she wished much to accompany me; and at the same time she wished much for her dinner; and there she stood; first looking one way and then the other; with her tail tucked in and ears drawn back; presenting an unmistakable appearance of perplexed discomfort。 Almost all the expressive movements now described; with the exception of the grinning from joy; are innate or instinctive; for they are common to all the individuals; young and old; of all the breeds。  Most of themare likewise common to the aboriginal parents of the dog; namely the wolf and jackal; and some of them to other species of the same group。 Tamed wolves and jackals; when caressed by their masters; jump about for joy; wag their tails; lower their ears; lick their master's hands; crouch down; and even throw themselves on the ground belly upwards。'4' I have seen a rather fox…like African jackal; from the Gaboon; depress its ears when caressed。 Wolves and jackals; when frightened; certainly tuck in their tails; and a tamed jackal has been described as careering round his master in circles and figures of eight; like a dog; with his tail between his legs。  It has been stated'5' that foxes; however tame; never display any of the above expressive movements; but this is not strictly accurate。  Many years ago I observed in the Zoological Gardens; and recorded the fact at the time; that a very tame English fox; When caressed by the keeper; wagged its tail; depressed its ears; and then threw itself on the ground; belly upwards。  The black fox of North America likewise depressed its ears in a slight degree。  But I believe that foxes never lick the hands of their masters; and I have been assured that when frightened they never tuck in their tails。 If the explanation which I have given of the expression of affection in dogs be admitted; then it would appear that animals which have never been domesticatednamely wolves; jackals; and even foxes have nevertheless ac… quired; through the principle of antithesis; certain expressive gestures; for it is Dot probable that these animals; confined in cages; should have learnt them by imitating dogs。 '4' Many particulars are given by Gueldenstadt in his account of the jackal in Nov。 Comm。  Acad。  Sc。  Imp。  Petrop。 1775; tom。  xx。  p。  449。  See also another excellent account of the manners of this animal and of its play; in ‘Land and Water;' October; 1869。  Lieut。 Annesley; R。 A。; has also communicated to me some particulars with respect to the jackal。 I have made many inquiries about wolves and jackals in the Zoological Gardens; and have observed them for myself。 '5' ‘Land and Water;' November 6; 1869。_Cats_。I have already described the actions of a cat

(fig。 9); when feeling savage and not terrified。 She assumes a crouching attitude and occasionally protrudes her fore…feet; with the claws exserted ready for striking。 The tail is extended; being curled or lashed from side to side。 The hair is not erectedat least it was not so in the few cases observed by me。  The ears are drawn closely backwards and the teeth are shown。  Low savage growls are uttered。 We can understand why the attitude assumed by a cat when preparing to fight with another cat; or in any way greatly irritated; is so widely different from that of a dog approaching another dog with hostile intentions; for the cat uses her fore…feet for striking; and this renders a crouching position convenient or necessary。 She is also much more accustomed than a dog to lie concealed and suddenly spring on her prey。  No cause can be assigned with certainty for the tail being lashed or curled from side to side。 This habit is common to many other animalsfor instance; to the puma; when prepared to spring;'1' but it is not common to dogs; or to foxes; as I infer from Mr。 St。 John's account of a fox lying in wait and seizing a hare。 We have already seen that some kinds of lizards and
返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0
未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
温馨提示: 温看小说的同时发表评论,说出自己的看法和其它小伙伴们分享也不错哦!发表书评还可以获得积分和经验奖励,认真写原创书评 被采纳为精评可以获得大量金币、积分和经验奖励哦!