NATURAL HISTORY. 201 



The most immediate physical cause of this inclina- 

 tion, which they have to spy out, and surprise other 

 animals, is owing to the particular conformation of 

 their eyes. The pupil, in man, as well as in the greater 

 part of the lower animals, is capable of a certain de- 

 gree of contraction and dilatation. It enlarges a lit- 

 tle when there is no light, and contracts when the 

 light becomes too strong. 



In the eye of a cat, and of nocturnal birds, this 

 contraction and dilatation are so considerable, that 

 the pupil, which in obscurity is large and round, be- 

 comes in broad day, long and narrow like a Kne. For 

 this reason these animals see better during the night 

 than during the day, the form of the pupil being al- 

 ways round when it is not constrained. During the 

 day, there is a continual' contraction in the eyes of 

 the cat, and it is only by effort, that he sees in a 

 strong light ; whereas at twilight, the pupil resuming 

 its natural form, he sees perfectly, and avails himself 

 of this advantage in knowing, attacking, and surpris- 

 ing other animals. 



Cats seem to have a natural dread of water, cold, 

 and bad smells : they are fond of perfumes, and glad- 

 ly suffer themselves to be taken and caressed by per- 

 sons who use them : the scent of- Valerian has so 

 powerful an effect on them, that they appear trans- 

 ported by it ; and, in order to preserve this plant in 

 gardens, it is common to surround it with a close 

 fence. Cats will smell it from afar, will run and rub 

 themselves with it, and will pass and repass so often 

 over it, as to destroy it in a short time. 



As they are very cleanly, and as their coat is al- 

 ways dry and shining, their hair easily electrifies ; and 

 gparks are seen to come from it, when rubbed with 

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