258 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



The following extract from the Animal Biography, 

 published in 1805, although of course antiquated in 

 its language, is not without interest to the readers 

 of the present day : 



" Instances are very common of cats returning of 

 their own accord to the places from whence they have 

 been carried ; though at a distance of many miles, 

 and even across rivers where they could not possibly 

 have had any knowledge either of the road or the 

 direction that would lead them to it. 



" This may perhaps arise from their having been 

 acquainted in their former habitation with all the 

 retreats of the mice and the passages and outlets of 

 the house, and from the disadvantages which they must 

 experience in these particulars by changing their 

 residence. 



"No experiment can be more beautiful than that 

 of setting a kitten for the first time before a looking- 

 glass. 



" The animal appears surprised and pleased with the 

 resemblance, and makes several attempts at touching its 

 new acquaintance, and at length, finding its efforts fruit- 

 less, it looks behind the glass and appears highly astonished 

 at the absence of the figure. It again views itself and 

 tries to touch the image with its foot, suddenly looking 

 at intervals behind the glass. 



"It then becomes more accurate in its observations, 

 and begins, as it were, to make experiments by stretching 

 out its paw in different directions, and when it finds that 

 these motions are answered in every respect by the figure 



