ANECDOTES ABOUT CATS 247 



" She persisted thus in venturing to the cradle, till she 

 was at last intercepted and killed." 



One of the most remarkable properties of the domestic 

 cat is the anxiety with which it makes itself acquainted 

 not only with every part of its usual habitation, but with 

 the dimensions and external qualities of every object by 

 which it is surrounded. 



Cats do not at once readily adapt themselves to a 

 change of residence, but I have watched the process 

 usually adopted by those whose attachment to the family 

 is assured in reconciling themselves to such a change. 



Every room in the house is surveyed from the garret 

 to the cellars, if a door is shut waiting patiently until it is 

 open to complete the survey ; ascertaining the relative size 

 and position of every article of furniture, and when this 

 knowledge has been acquired sitting down contented with 

 the new situation. 



It appears to be necessary to a cat to be intimately 

 acquainted with every circumstance of the position, in the 

 same way that a general first examines the face of the 

 country in which he is to conduct his operations. 



If a new piece of furniture, if even a large book or 

 portfolio is newly placed in a room which a cat frequents, 

 it walks round it, smells it, takes note of its size and 

 appearance, and then never troubles itself further about 

 the matter. 



This is probably an instinctive quality, and I have no 

 doubt that wild cats, and as I have before said domestic 

 cats also that enjoy much liberty, take a survey of every 

 tree or stone, every gap in brake or thicket, and 



