The Book of Cats. 93 



rested about the matter when I began to read the 

 arguments on either side. Will you be ? I am in- 

 clined to think not. However, here is a brief state- 

 ment of the case, which is easily skipped if not 

 approved of. 



M. Riippel, who discovered in the wild regions 

 west of the Nile a Cat about one-third smaller 

 than the European Cat, and having a longer tail, 

 is of opinion that the animal was descended from 

 the domestic Cat of the ancient Eg>^ptians, and 

 that the Egyptian and our domestic Cat are iden- 

 tical. Temminck is of the same opinion ; but Pro- 

 fessor Owen objects to this theory, because the first 

 deciduous molar-tooth of the Egyptian Cat has a 

 relatively thicker crown, and is supported by three 

 roots, whilst the corresponding tooth of the do- 

 mestic and wild Cat of Europe has a thinner crown, 

 and only two roots. A writer on the subject, in 

 1836, says, there is no doubt but that the wild Cat 

 of the European forests is the tame Cat of European 

 houses ; that the wild Cat at some period has 

 been domesticated, and that the tame Cat would 

 become wild if turned into the woods. Mr. Bell, 

 however, with regard to the belief that the common 

 wild Cat is the father of the tame, says, that the 

 general conformation of the two animals is con- 



