WILD CAT. 195 



generally supposed to be the original of our Domes- 

 tic Cat, which, in anatomical structure and external 

 form, certainly does not present greater differences 

 Jhan might be expected to result from so great a 

 change in its food and habits. The Tame Cat is 

 smaller than the Wild, because it is not supplied 

 with its natural food in sufficient quantity ; and its 

 tail is thinner and more tapering, because its fur is 

 much shorter ; but individuals of the domesticated 

 race are sometimes met with, which exhibit scarcely 

 any difference from the Wild Cat, and it remains 

 to be proved that several species, whether of quad- 

 rupeds or of birds, can combine to constitute by 

 breeding together a prolific mixed race. The 

 skull and teeth of a Domestic Cat differ much less 

 from those of a wild individual, than do skulls of 

 our Highland and common Foxes from each other, 

 although no one doubts that all our Foxes are of 

 one and the same species. 



