68 CATS. 



and are extremely voracious; they feed especially on dead bodies, 

 and seek them even in burial places ; they possess a reputation 

 for ferocity which they do not merit. 



68. TheComnion Hyena, Hyena Vu'garis, is originally from 

 Asiatic Turkey, Syria, and some countries of Africa. It is of the 

 size of a wolf, and at first sight, somewhat resembles him. His 

 coat is of a brownish gray, and marked with white stripes. His 

 head is commonly carried low ; the back seems elevated like that 

 of the hog; he has long bristles which fall from each side. t 



69. The cry of this animal is peculiar : it begins with a sound 

 that one might take for the groans of a man, and ends pre- 

 cisely as if a person were making efforts to vomit. 



70. The CATS, Felix, ,a name under which naturalists com- 

 prehend, not only common Cats, but also Tigers, Lions, &c.) of 

 all the carnivora, are the most completely armed : their short 

 jaws are moved by prodigiously strong muscles (Plate 3, jig. 5;) 

 they have two false molar teeth in the upper and two in the lower 

 jaw, followed by a very large carnivorous tooth ; their retractile 

 nails, which are hidden amongst the toes when in a state of repose 

 by the action of elastic ligaments, never lose either their point or 

 edge. (Plate 3, fiy. 6.) The number of their toes is five on 

 the four feet, and four on the hind. They possess a sense of hearing 

 which is exceedingly fine, and it is the best developed of their senses. 

 Their sight does not seem to have a very long range, but they 

 see well both by day and by night ; their pupil dilates and closes 

 according to the quantity of light ; with some, it is elongated ver- 

 tically, and with others it is round. They make great use of their 

 sense of smell ; they exercise it before eating, and always when 

 they apprehend disturbance from any cause. Their tongue is 

 clothed with very rough horny points. Their coat is generally 

 soft and fine, and the whole surface of their body is very sensible 

 to the touch ; their mustaches particularly, seem to be the seat 

 of very delicate impressions. 



71. Animals of the genus CAT, are spread almost every where 

 over the surface of the globe : they every where possess similar 

 habits. Though endowed with prodigious strength, they never 

 openly attack other animals ; stratagem and cunning direct all 

 their movements. They never force their prey into flight ; but 



68. Where js the common Hyena found ? What are its characters? 



69. What is the peculiarity of the cry of the common Hyena? 



70. What are the gtn ric characters of the genus Cat? What is the kind, 

 number and position of their teeth ? What is the character of their vision 

 and eyes ? 



71. What are the habits of animals of the genus Cat ? 





