HAPPY FAMILIES. . 179 



The-sight of a sleek and beautiful cat seated calmly in the 

 midst of a cage of birds was so new and unexpected that when 

 Francesco produced them at the fair of Sussai'i he was sur- 

 rounded instantly by a crowd of admiring spectators. Their 

 astonishment scarcely knew bounds when they heard him call 

 each feathered favorite by its name, and saw it fly toward him 

 with alacrity, till all were perched on his head, his arms, and 

 his fingers. Delighted with his ingenuity the spectators 're- 

 warded him liberally, and the boy returned joyfully to his home 

 with sufficient money to last the family many months. 



Not only do animals sometimes lose many of their nafural 

 characteristics by association with human beings or with other 

 animals, but they even in some cases have been known to acquire 

 the habits of animals of an entirely different species from them- 

 selves. One of the most remarkable instances of this was ob- 

 served by La Malle. This gentleman had a kitten which had 

 attained the age of six months when his live stock was increased 

 by the arrival of a terrier pup, Fox, that was only two months 

 old. The dog and the cat were brought up together, and for 

 two years Fox had no association with other dogs, but received 

 All his education from the three daughters of the porter, and 

 from the cat The two animals were continually together and 

 acquired a great affection for one another 5 the cat, however, as 

 the senior taking the lead. Soon Fox began to bound like a 

 cat, and to roll a mouse or a ball with his fore paws after the 

 feline fashion. He also licked his paw and rubbed it over his 

 ear as !ie saw the cat do -, nevertheless, owing to his native in- 

 stinct, if a strange cat came into the garden he chased it away. 

 La Malle brought a strange dog into the house, who manifested 

 the utiuost contempt and indignation for all Fox's habits. M« 

 Andouin, too, had a dog. which acquired all the habits of a cat. 



It has probably been remarked also, by most readers, that 

 domestic animals almost always imbibe something of the dispo- 

 sition of their masters or mistresses. Thus, a plodding easy- 

 -going man will have a horse of much the same characteristics 

 if it has been long in his service, whatever may have been the 

 horse's original disposition. Many simikr instanees will no 

 ■doubt suggest themselves to the reader. It would seem that 

 even mankind is not exempt from this influence, and ihat wiien 

 men have not the energy or mental force to exert this molding 

 power over the minds of their brute companions, the animals 

 will exert it over them. At the risk of wandering from cur 

 subject it may interest some to have attention called to the tes- 

 timony to this assertion, afforded by all uncivilized countries. 

 Dr. Virey, who has given considerable attention to this rather 



