232 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



by a strong light : but in the twilight, the pupil re- 

 sumes its natural roundness, the animal enjoys 

 perfect vision, and takes advantage of this supe- 

 riority to discover and surprize its prey. 



The cry of the Cat is loud, piercing, and clamor- 

 ous ; and whether expressive of anger or of love, is 

 equally violent and hideous. Its call may be heard 

 at a great distance, and is so well known to the 

 whole fraternity, that on some occasions several 

 hundred Cats have been brought together from dif- 

 ferent parts. Invited by the piercing cries of dis- 

 tress from a suffering fellow-creature, they assemble 

 in crowds; and with loud squalls and yells, express 

 their horrid sympathies. They frequently tear the 

 miserable object to pieces; and with the most blind 

 and furious rage, fall upon each other, killing and 

 wounding indiscriminately, till there is scarcely one 

 left. These terrible conflicts happen only in the 

 night; and though rare, instances of very furious 

 engagements are well authenticated. 



The Cat is particularly averse to water, cold, and 

 bad smells. It is fond of certain perfumes, but is 

 more particularly attracted by the smell of valerian, 

 marum, and cat-mint: it rubs itself against them; 

 and, if not prevented from coming at them in a 

 garden where they are planted, would infallibly 

 destroy them. 



The Cat brings forth twice, and sometimes thrice, 

 a year. The period of her gestation is fifty-five or 

 fifty-six days, and she generally produces five or 

 six at one litter. She conceals her kittens from the 

 male, lest he should devour them, as he is some- 

 times inclined; and if apprehensive of being dis- 

 turbed, will take them up in her mouth, and remove 

 them one by one .to a more secure retreat : even the 



