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THE CAT TRIBE. 



This tribe of animals is ferocious, and tolerably 

 swift of foot. They hunt for their prey chiefly in 

 the night, and seize it by surprize ; lying in wait 

 till it comes within reach, and then springing sud- 

 denly forwards upon it at one leap. While their 

 prey is in sight, they frequently move their tail from 

 side to side, keeping at the same time their eyes 

 steadily fixed on the object. They never adopt ve- 

 getable food, except from necessity. Most of them 

 are very agile in climbing trees; and have the remark- 

 able property of alighting on their feet whenever 

 thrown or falling from a height, by which the dan- 

 ger usually attendant on such accidents is often pre- 

 vented. The females, producing a considerable 

 number of young at a birth, have eight teats ; four 

 of which are situated on the breast, and the other 

 four on the belly *, 



All the animals belonging to this tribe have six 

 fore-teeth, the intermediate ones of which are equal. 

 They have also three grinders on each side in both 

 jaws. The tongue is furnished with rough sharp 

 prickles, that point backwards. And the claws are 

 sheathed and retractile ^ : a necessary provision to 

 keep them from' being dulled while walking ; for, 

 being their principal weapons^ as well ot offence as 

 defence, they are both hooked and sharp. 



* Linn, Gmel. i. 70. Kn-r. i. Ik), 

 t Kxccpt in the; Lion ; wliitii has thcni rttructik', but not into 

 shcuths.— rSee the following account. 



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