418 THE JAVA CAT. 



I gave the animal one morning a dead cock- 

 roach, but after turning and twisting about, and 

 licking it for some time — perhaps it was not 

 hungry, it would not eat it. 



When the creature is excessively annoyed, it 

 retires into some dark hole or corner, making a 

 spitting noise, and is very furious against any 

 one that may attempt to dislodge it from that 

 place, thus formed into a refuge for the ill- 

 tempered. 



When first set at liberty he was missing for one 

 or two days, having gone on a tour by way of 

 change of scene ; he soon, however, returned 

 to his old quarters, ran about the cabins, and 

 when sleepy during the day would take to the 

 warmest and most comfortable situation the 

 cabins afforded ; it was as fully domesticated 

 as a cat. 



The Mussong runs about quite domesticated, 

 and climbs well, occasionall}^ aiding itself by the 

 tail having a prehensile power. 



He also runs about, particularly at night, 

 and in the morning is usually found quietly 

 asleep upon the softest bundle of clothes he can 

 meet with, in the cabin into which he has 

 introduced himself: he dislikes much to be 

 handled, or petted, or crammed, (unless he 

 crams himself, which he very often does,) and, 



