We have already mentioned the skin-muscle, or thin band of flesh lying immediately under the skin, and by means of which the shivering of the skin, the erection or rendering vertical of hairs, &c., is performed. The latter effect--an effect seen on a small scale in ourselves as “goose-skin”--is well seen in the Cat, for the animal invariably makes its hair stand on end when it is angry or alarmed, and so makes itself look as large and terrible as possible. In the manner of using this muscle, as well as in many other matters, the Cat resembles in a remarkable degree the great beasts of prey, and forms a capital study of feline expression. Every one must have noticed the instantaneous change in the whole demeanour of a Cat when it catches sight of a strange Dog. This and other characteristic attitudes are well described by Mr. Darwin.[49] “When this animal is threatened by a Dog it arches its back in a surprising manner, erects its hair, opens its mouth, and spits.” This well-known attitude “is expressive of terror combined with anger. Anger alone is not often seen, but may be observed when two Cats are fighting together; and I have seen it well exhibited by a savage Cat whilst plagued by a boy. The attitude is almost exactly the same as that of a Tiger disturbed, and growling over its food, which every one must have beheld in menageries. The animal assumes a crouching position, with the body extended; and the whole tail, or the tip alone, is lashed or curled from side to side. The hair is not in the least erect. Thus far, the attitude and movements are nearly the same as when the animal is prepared to spring on its prey, and when, no doubt, it feels savage. But when preparing to fight, there is this difference, that the ears are closely pressed backwards; the mouth is partially opened, showing the teeth; the fore-feet are occasionally struck out with protruded claws, and the animal occasionally utters a fierce growl. Let us now look at a Cat in a directly opposite frame of mind, whilst feeling affectionate and caressing her master, and mark how opposite is her attitude in every respect. She now stands upright with her back slightly arched, which makes the hair appear rather rough, but it does not bristle. Her tail, instead of being extended and lashed from side to side, is held quite stiff and perpendicularly upwards; her ears are erect and pointed; her mouth is closed, and she rubs against her master with a purr instead of a growl. Let it further be observed how widely different is the whole bearing of an affectionate Cat from that of a Dog, when, with his body crouching and flexuous, his tail lowered and Wagging, and ears depressed, he caresses his master.