THE CAT. 6l 



tection : the lion and the tiger may be tamed, and 

 rendered obedient to command ; but even in their 

 humblest moments they are to be dreaded, as their 

 strength is so great, and their tempers so capricious, 

 that they have frequently been known suddenly to turn 

 upon those to whose authority they had appeared to 

 submit. 



THE CAT. 



Of all the animals when young, there is none more 

 prettily playful than the kitten ; but, as its years in- 

 crease, it seems gradually to lose its sportive habits, 

 and the innate treachery of its class prevails. From be- 

 ing naturally ravenous, education teaches it to disguise 

 its appetites, and to watch a favorable moment for 

 seizing its prey. Supple, artful, and insinuating, it 

 disguises its intentions until it can execute them with- 

 out danger ; and, s instead of making an open attack, 

 conceals itself in ambush, like a designing foe. The 

 weapons of this animal are both its teeth and claws ; 

 the former of which amount to thirty, and are calcu- 

 lated for tearing rather than chewing its food : their 

 claws are remarkable both for sharpness and strength, 

 and they never suffer any thing to escape that once 

 comes within their grasp. The cat* has only the ap- 

 pearance of attachment ; and it may easily be perceiv- 

 ed, by its timid approaches, and side-long looks, that 

 it eithei 1 dreads its master, or distrusts his kindness ; 

 it is assiduous rather for its own pleasure, than to 



* This animal goes fifty-six days with young, and generally produces 

 four or five at a time, which she carefully hides in some concealed spot, 

 and for some weeks entirely supports them upon milk ; afterwards she 

 carries them whatever she has made her prey. 



