The Book of Cats. 233 



The wild Cat is more plentiful in the wooded dis- 

 tricts of Germany, Prussia, and Hungary than in 

 any other part of Europe. It is found also in the 

 north of Asia and in Nepaul. Besides the true 

 wild Cat, there are other species of felis which, on 

 account of their resemblance to the tiger, are called 

 "Tiger-Cats": they are found in all parts of the 

 world, with the exception of Europe. The largest 

 of this family is the Rimau-Dahan, an inhabitant 

 of Sumatra. When full grown, it measures over 

 seven feet from the nose to the tip of its tail, which 

 appendage, however, monopolises three feet six of 

 the whole. It is nearly two feet high at the 

 shoulders : its colour is light grey, striped and 

 spotted with jet black. One of the first specimens 

 of this Tiger-Cat seen in England was brought 

 here by Sir Stamford Raffles, who. procured two of 

 them from the banks of the Bencoolen River. 



" Both specimens," writes this gentlemen, " while 

 in a state of confinement, were remarkable for 

 good temper and playfulness ; no domestic kitten 

 could be more so ; they were always courting in- 

 tercourse with persons passing by, and in the ex- 

 pression of their countenance, which was always 

 open and smiling, showed the greatest delight when 

 noticed, throwing themselves on their backs, and 



