K)8 HISTORY OF (QUADRUPEDS. 



ANIMALS OF THE CAT KIND. 



AVE have hitherto been employed in the pleasing 

 task of describing most of those numerous tribes of 

 animals that are more nearly connected with the 

 interests of mankind; that serve as the instruments 

 of man's happiness, or at least that do not openly 

 oppose him ; that depend upon his care for their 

 subsistence; and in their turn contribute largely to 

 his comfort and support. We have taken an ample 

 range among the wilder inhabitants of the forest, 

 which, though in a more remote degree dependant 

 on man, are nevertheless objects of his attention 

 and pursuit. We have followed Nature to her most 

 retired recesses, and have seen and admired her 

 works under a variety of the most beautiful living 

 forms; but our progress has hitherto been unstained 

 with blood. 



The attention of our readers will now be engaged 

 in a different pursuit. The scene must be diversified. 



We come now to a sanguinary and unrelenting 

 tribe, the bold and intrepid enemies of man, that 

 disdain to own his power, and carry on unceasing 

 hostilities against him. 



This numerous and ferocious tribe is chiefly 

 distinguished by their sharp and formidable claws, 

 which are lodged in a sheath, and are capable of 

 being extended or drawn in at pleasure. They 

 lead a solitary and a ravenous life, and never unite 

 for mutual defence or support, like those of the 

 herbivorous kinds. They seek their food alone, 

 and are frequently enemies to each other. Though 

 differing greatly in size and in colour, they are 

 nearly allied to each other in form and disposition, 

 being equally fierce, rapacious, and artful. 



