Unusual Structure of Cervical Vertebrae, 513 



The effect that both sound and music have upon this animal 

 is well known. They, like dogs, may be made to answer the 

 call of a whistle. An invalid, who was confined to his room 

 for some time, was much amused by this means, and with 

 other proofs of the docility and sagacity of a favourite cat. 

 Valmont de Bomare saw, at the fair of St. Germain, cats turned 

 musicians, the performance being announced by the title of 

 the " Mewing Concert." In the centre was an ape, beating 

 time ; and on either side were the cats placed, with music 

 before them on the stalls : at the signal of the ape, they 

 regulated their mewing to sad or lively strains. One of our 

 celebrated naturalists assures us that they are capable of gra- 

 titude, and may be considered faithful. 



After so many instances well known, why should so severe 

 a sentence be passed upon these animals ? It is said (with- 

 out proof) that education has no effect upon their natural 

 savageness ; but I cannot imagine why this should be asserted, 

 when we notice how quietly a cat will obey its mistress, and 

 remain by her side most of the day, if required ; will run 

 when it is called, and appear unsettled and unhappy during 

 the absence of its protector; and how delighted when she 

 returns, as it proves by its caresses, not acting from dissi- 

 mulation or cunning. When cats have attained these social 

 habits, they will retain them till their death ; and thus brought 

 up, they lose their inclination for mice and rats, and are 

 devoted to those who are attached to them. From all that 

 can be said, this conclusion may be drawn, that the more 

 pains are bestowed upon educating them, the less they show 

 of their natural wild state. Yours, &c. 



Cattus- 



Art. VIII. Unusual Structure ofthejirst ttvo Cervical FertebrcB 

 of a large Quadrupedjbund in a Bone-yard. By C. B. 



Sir, 



There is, perhaps, no opinion more prejudicial to the 

 promotion of scientific knowledge, than the idea that trifles 

 are not worth recording or being examined. Some of the 

 most splendid inventions and useful discoveries have had 

 their origin from what might at first appear, to the careless 

 observer, trivial occurrences, and, as such, unworthy of any 

 analysis. It is by noting down any the smallest deviation 

 from the more common contrivances and operations of na- 

 ture (such as, for instance, any slight variation in the form- 



VoL. IV. — No. 22. LL 



