THE WILD CAT 



cated habits for a free life in the woods. Animals that 

 revert to a wild state soon become astonishingly fierce. 



It is a matter for congratulation that the Wild Cat is 

 on the verge of extinction, and the last one will be allowed 

 to depart without regret, if it is only half as bad as Mr. 

 Pennant painted it : * The Wild Cat may be called the 

 British tiger ; it is the fiercest and most destructive beast 

 we have, making dreadful havoc amongst our poultry, 

 lambs, and kids. It inhabits the most mountainous and 

 woody parts of these islands, living mostly in trees, and 

 feeding only by night.' Upon occasion the animal proved 

 its bad character to be understated, for in the church at 

 Barnborough, in Yorkshire, was formerly a rude painting 

 that testified to the fact that a man died in the church 

 porch after being attacked by a 

 cat. Even in captivity the crea- 

 ture remains absolutely intractable 

 after years of confinement. 



The Wild Cat ranges from the 

 north of Scotland across Europe 

 and Northern Asia to the 

 northern slope of the Himalayas. 

 In colour its soft and thick fur is 

 usually grey or yellowish, with a 

 black streak running down the 

 back, from which fall transverse 

 stripes down the sides; the tail is ringed with black. In- 

 cluding the rather short tail with its obtuse end, the animal 

 is about three feet in length. 



DOMESTIC CAT (Felis domesticus). 

 Plate VIII. Fig. i. 



It is impossible to say at what period cats became 

 domesticated, but it is almost certain that the Egyptians 

 were the first to make use of their undoubted good qualities. 



The Domestic Cat is smaller than its wild progenitor, and 

 shows endless variations in colour in the different breeds. 

 Those most valued are the Persian variety. No animal 

 exhibits more maternal fondness for its young ; and it 



TEETH OF THE DOMESTIC CAT. 

 (Natural size.) 



