88 THE CAT KIND. 



in the day, feeds in the night, lives wholly on vegetables, and flies 

 from every appearance of danger. Its flesh is said to be excel- 

 lent food : its skin, which is very thick, and when dried is proof 

 against the impression of an arrow, is, by the Indians, used for 

 bucklers. 



Thus we see that these sequestered animals, although inhabit- 

 ing the solitary recesses of the largest rivers in the most unfre- 

 quented parts of the globe, are not devoid of utility to man. 



In surveying those numerous tribes of animals, of which some 

 are so perfectly adapted to afford us their assistance in labour, 

 or to supply us with food and clothing ; and others so admirably 

 calculated to gratify our curiosity, and excite rational beings to 

 contemplate the greatness and goodness of the Author of Na- 

 ture, who has created so many subordinate beings, endowed with 

 qualities so essential to our comfortable existence, that we can- 

 not but learn the divine lesson of gratitude to the bountiful Giver 

 of all good things. A little reflection will enable us to perceive, 

 that to treat with kindness the creatures subject to our domina- 

 tion, and committed to our charge, is the most rational and ap- 

 propriate demonstration of our gratitude to the Creator of the 

 universe, and Common Parent of all? for his kind attention to 

 our comforts and conveniences. 



After exhibiting to view the nature, the habits, and utility of 

 these different kinds of animals, which, being domesticated 

 among us, and necessary to our service and support, induce us 

 to consider their welfare as connected with our own, we have 

 been led to range among the wilder inhabitants of the forests, 

 the mountains, and the deserts, which, although less dependent 

 on man, are frequently the objects of his pursuit, and become 

 subservient to his interests. Having followed Nature to her most 

 retired recesses, and seen and admired the works of the Crea- 

 tor, displayed in a variety of the most useful, the most beautiful, 

 and the most inoffensive animal forms, we shall now be engaged 

 in a different pursuit, and occupied with the contemplation of a 

 new scene. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

 THIS CAT KZBTD. 



" Around in sympathetic mirth 



Its tricks the kitten tries." GOLDSMITH. 



OUR attention is now called to a numerous, ferocious, and 

 sanguinary tribe, engaged in unceasing hostilities against man, 

 and against all those animals that are in alliance with him, and 



