CATS. 195 



mice should eat up the other portions. Nevertheless 

 it will be perhaps more like the truth if we give our 

 cats an Asiatic origin. When they run wild, Mr. St. 

 John says, they are often irreclaimable, and do in- 

 credible mischief. There are instances, however, of 

 their returning to their homes, bringing game with them. 

 One known to the above gentleman used every winter 

 evening to bring in a wood-cock ; another brought 

 back rabbits and hares. The latter was constantly 

 caught in traps, which accident did not cure him of his 

 wanderings ; and he never struggled, but sat quietly 

 till some one came and effected his release. 



All cats sleep lightly, raise their back, bristle up their 

 hair, and swell up their tail when angry. Those which 

 have been domesticated are very inquisitive concerning 

 things rather than persons ; smell and inspect a new 

 piece of furniture several times ; are attached to houses, 

 and are extremely fond of scents, especially certain kinds 

 emanating from plants. They seldom eat the rats which 

 they kill, although they devour mice. If they should 

 swallow a shrew, which is very rare, they almost imme- 

 diately reject it. They will sit hour after hour watch- 

 ing at the mouth of a hole ; and after seizing their prey, 

 bring it to their favourites in the house to show their 

 prowess, and strut about with a great air of self-satis- 

 faction. They generally have a great dislike to water ; 

 but they have been known to surmount this when they 

 could catch a fish, for which species of food they have a 

 great preference. The accusation that they play with 

 you one minute and scratch you the next is too true. 

 The change is not an act of treachery, but arises from 

 excitement. 



I know not whence it is derived, but for centuries cats 



