240 THE GENET. 



Belonius 'assures us that he has seen them in the houses at 

 Constantinople as tame as cats ; and that they were per- 

 mitted to run everywhere about, without doing the least 

 mischief. For this reason they have been called the cats 

 of Constantinople; although they have little else in common 

 with that animal, except their skill in spying out and 

 destroying vermin. Naturalists pretend that it inhabits 

 only the moister grounds, and chiefly resides along the 

 banks of rivers, having never been found in mountains nor 

 dry places. The species is not much diffused; it is not to 

 be found in any part of Europe, except Spain and Turkey; 

 it requires a warm climate to subsist and multiply in ; and 

 yet it is not to be found in the warmer regions either of 

 India or Africa. From such as have seen its uses at Con- 

 stantinople, I learn that it is one of the most beautiful, 

 cleanly, and industrious animals in the world ; that it keeps 

 whatever house it is in perfectly free from mice and rats, 

 which cannot endure its smell. Add to this, its nature is 

 mild and gentle, its colors various and glossy, its fur val- 

 uable ; and upon the whole, it seems to be one of those 

 animals, that, with proper care, might be propagated 

 amongst us, and might become one of the most serviceable 

 of our domestics. 



