14 ZOOLOGY. 



From the several genera of the Carnivorous kinds, man has 

 been able to reduce but very few species to a state of 

 domestication ; in fact the Dog is the only one that can 

 be considered as perfectly reclaimed ; he is the willing 

 companion of man, seems to enter into the views and 

 watches the motions of his master with a scrutinizing eye, 

 and becomes the faithful guardian of whatever is committed 

 to his charge ; and whether we consider the Dog as a 

 cheerful and useful companion in our sports or toils ; 

 or as the vigilant protector of our property; his being 

 rendered subservient to our purposes is of inestimable value. 



The domestic Cat though an attendant on our dwell- 

 ings, seems to take no kind of interest in the concerns 

 of those that feed and protect it, and as Buffon justly 

 remarks, " is more attached to places than persons," as 

 it frequently quits the house and retires to woods ; it is 

 of a very capricious nature, and though so far tamed as 

 to becorne familiar and to take up its abode in our houses, 

 yet the services by which it repays the shelter afforded, 

 are only traits of a savage and unsubdued spirit ; as from 

 its infancy it delights in blood, and seems to take pleasure 

 in tormenting those animals so unfortunate as to come 

 within its grasp. It is not a little remarkable, that the 

 carcases of the Dog and Cat tribes seemingly afford the 

 greatest treat to the Vulture and Eagle families, their 

 counterparts in the next grand division of Animals. 



The Weesel tribe are of considerable service to man, 

 by their devouring Snakes, Reptiles, and many of tlie 

 lesser kinds of Quadrupeds ; but in default of these, thej 



