THE EGYPTIAN CAT. 245 



when within a proper distance, always sprung, and 

 generally brought the insect to the ground with her 

 paws or breast. 



The domestic cat is capable of great attachment 

 to, and long recollection of, those who have been 

 kind to it, but not more so than many of its conge- 

 ners ; for the very limited number of those which are 

 subjected to the care and tuition of man, have in 

 many instances shewn as strong feelings towards their 

 keepers. Several examples of this have been already 

 mentioned, particularly the mildness of the Chati of 

 Frederic Cuvier, and the attachment of the panther 

 which Mrs Bowdirh brought with her to England. 



One of the most singular instances of attachment 

 or fancy, in the common cat, took place with one 

 which we have often seen in attendance upon the 

 watchman in St James' Square, Edinburgh. When 

 the man commenced his rounds, the cat was as regu- 

 larly at his post, and continued walking with him 

 during the whole night. This continued, we believe, 

 for nearly two years ; and when we last saw the man 

 the cat was in his company. Upon the approach 

 of any person, the cat would run up to the guardian 

 of the night, and rub against his legs until the indi- 

 vidual had passed. In the quieter hours, towards 

 morning, he ventured to a greater distance, but 

 would always appear at the call or whistle of his 

 protector. 



The common cat, like all other animals in a state 

 of domestication, is subject to an almost infinite dif- 



