196 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description, manners, &c. 



of manners, than giace in its attitude and move- 

 ments. With the physiognomy of goodness, she 

 possessed a gentleness truly interesting. How ill 

 soever any one used her, she never" attempted to 

 advance her claws from their sheath. Sensible 

 to kindness, she licked the hand which caressed; 

 and even that which tormented her. On a jour- 

 ney, she reposed tranquilly on the knees of any 

 of the company, for there was no occasion to 

 confine her; and if our author, or some other 

 person whom she knew, were present, no noise 

 whatever gave her the least disturbance. 



In Sonnini's solitary moments, she chiefly kept 

 by his side; she interrupted him frequently in 

 the midst of his labours or meditations, by little 

 affecting caresses, and generally followed him in 

 his walks. During his absence, she sought and 

 called for him incessantly, with the utmost inqui- 

 etude: and, if it -were long before he re-appeared, 

 she would quit his apartment, and attach herself 

 to the person of the house where he lived ; for 

 whom, next to himself, she entertained the great- 

 est afiection. She recognised his vorce at a dis- 

 tance; and seemed on each fresh meeting with: 

 him, to feel increased satisfaction. Her gait was 

 frank, and her look as gentle as her character. 

 She possessed, in a word, the disposition of the 

 most amiable dog, beneath the brilliant fur of a 

 cat. 



" This animal," says M. Sonnini, " was my 

 principal amusement for several years. How was" 



