THE CAT 249 



puled by the muscles situated higher up. They are 

 fastened each to the lower side of one of the terminal 

 bones of the toes. Pulled by its tendon, this termi- 

 nal bone pivots, as if on a hinge, on the extremity of 

 the preceding bone, and gets in a straight line with 

 it. At the same time the pointed end of the claw 

 comes out of the paw." 



"Then the cat's claws are worked by cords and 

 pulleys!" exclaimed Emile. "It is enough to be- 

 wilder one, it is so complicated. But I understand 

 it in the main. To make velvet paws the cat does n't 

 have to do anything at all; the claws go in of their 

 own accord and stay in their sheaths; and if they 

 have to be drawn out, the cords or tendons give a 

 pull, and the thing is done." 



"To be shod with soft slippers which both admit 

 of a noiseless approach to the hunted prey and can, 

 on the instant, change into terrible weapons of at- 

 tack, is not alone sufficient for the hunter's success; 

 he must also have eyes to guide him in the darkness 

 of midnight, the hour most favorable for an ambus- 

 cade. In this respect the cat is admirably equipped. 

 Its eyes are formed for receiving more or less light 

 as may be necessary for seeing. 



"Notice a cat in the sun. You will see the pupil 

 of the eyes reduced to a narrow, slit resembling a 

 black line. Not to be dazzled by too great light, the 

 animal has closed the passage to the rays of light; 

 it has closed the pupil while leaving the eyes wide 

 open. Take the cat into the shade : the slit of the 

 eyes will enlarge and become an oval. Put it in a 



