84 CAT. Class I. 



the tip of the former *. This laft quotation is not 

 only curious, as being an evidence of the fimplicity 

 of ancient manners, but it almoft proves to a de- 

 monftration that cats are not aborigines of thefe 

 iflands ; or known to the earlieft inhabitants. The 

 large prices fct on them, (if we confider the high 

 value of fpecies at that time f) and the great care 

 taken of the improvement and breed of an ani- 

 mal that multiplies fo fafl, are almoll certain proofs 

 of their being little known at that period. 



* Sii^ Ed. Coke in his Reports, mentions the fame kind of 

 punifhment anciently for killing a fwan, by fufpending it by 

 the bill. Sec. Vide, Cafe des Siuannes. 



f Ho-wel dda 6.{tA in the year 948, after a reign of thirty- 

 three years over South Wales, and eight years over all Wales. 



Six 



