162 



THE DOMESTIC CAT. 



takes possession of the mind when the reader turns from the savage races of mankind, with 

 their selfish, restless, eager, bestialized expression, to the mild and intellectual countenances 

 of the civilized nations. A similar sensation of repose is felt when we turn from the savage, 

 hungry -looking Wild Cat to the placid face and tranquil expression of our favorite, the 

 DOMESTIC CAT. 



Although England possesses an indigenous Cat, which would naturally be considered 

 as the original progenitor of the Domestic Cat, which attaches herself so strongly to mankind, 

 it is now generally admitted that for this useful and graceful animal we are indebted to 

 another continent. In the description of the Wild Cat, it has been mentioned that the distin- 

 guishing marks which characterize the two species are so permanent as to defy eradication, 

 and to mark decisively the "Felis catus" from the "Felis domestica." The comparative 



DOMESTIC CAT. Feiu manicuia domestica. 



length of their tails is of itself a distinction, and one which seems never to be lost by either 

 the wild or the domestic animal. Whether those two creatures have ever produced a mixed 

 breed is a matter of much uncertainty, for although a wood or a warren may be infested with 

 Cats living in a wild state, yet, in almost every case, they are only Domestic Cats in which 

 the savage part of their nature has predominated, and conquered the assumed habits of 

 domestication. They have acted as men sometimes act under similar temptation, and have 

 voluntarily taken to a savage life. As far as is at present known, the Egyptian Cat is the origin 

 of our Domestic Cat. 



In the long past times, when the Egyptian nation was at the head of the civilized world, the 

 "Felis maniculata" was universally domesticated in their homes, while at the comparatively 

 later days of English history the Domestic Cat was so scarce in England that royal edicts were 

 issued for its preservation. Yet in those days, A. r>. 948, the wild Cat was rife throughout 

 Europe, and was reckoned as a noxious animal, which must be destroyed, and not a useful 

 one which must be protected. It is conjectured that the Domestic Cat was imported from 

 Egypt into Greece and Rome, and from thence to England. 



In the eyes of any one who has really examined, and can support the character of the 

 Domestic Cat, she must appear to be a sadly calumniated creature. 



