72 The Book of Cats. 



greater than that of the snake, who creeps along 

 the grass, and is not perceived till he is coiled round 

 his prey." 



Black Cats especially are said to be highly 

 charged with electricity, which, when the animal is 

 irritated, is easily visible in the dark. Here are 

 directions I have for producing the effect : — Lay 

 one hand upon the Cat's throat, and slightly press 

 its shoulder bones. If the other hand be drawn 

 gently along its back, electric shocks will be felt in 

 the hand upon the Cat's throat. If the tips of the 

 ears be touched after the back has been rubbed, 

 shocks of electricity may also be felt, or they may 

 be obtained from the foot. Lay the animal upon 

 your knees, and apply the right hand to the back, 

 the left fore paw resting on the palm of your left 

 hand, apply the thumb to the upper side of the 

 paw, so as to extend the claws, and by this means 

 bring your fore finger in contact with one of the 

 bones of the leg, where it joins the paw ; when 

 from the knob or end of this bone, the finger slightly 

 pressing on it, you may feel distinctly successive 

 shocks similar to those obtained from the ears. 

 The Reverend Mr. Wood expresses an opinion, that 

 on account of the superabundance of electricity 

 which is developed in the Cat, the animal is found 



