THE DOMESTIC CAT. 2^9 



less on the floor and weltering in her blood. A 

 large white Cat was mounted on the cornice of a 

 cupboard, at the farther end of the apartment, where 

 he seemed to have taken refi^ge. lie sat motionless ; 

 v.'ith his eyes fixed on the corpse, and his attitude 

 and looks expressing horror and afltright. I'he fol- 

 lowing morning, he was found in the same station 

 and attitude ; and when the room was filled with 

 officers of justice, neither the clattering of the sol- 

 diers' arms, nor the loud conversation of the compa- 

 ny, could in the least degree, divert his attentiorj. 

 As soon, however, as the suspected persons were 

 brought in, his eyes glared v-'ith increased fury ; Iiis 

 hair bristled ; he darted into the middle of the 

 apartment, where he stopped for a iPiOment to gaze ■ 

 at them ; and then precipitately retreated under the 

 bed. The countenances of the assassins were dis- 

 concerted ; and they now, for the first time during 

 the whole course of the horrid business, felt theiir 

 atrocious audacity forsake them *. 



Few animals exhibit more maternal tenderness, 

 or shew a greater attachment to their young, than 

 the Cat. The assiduity with which she attends 

 them, and the pleasure which she seems to take in all 

 their playful tricks, afford a very grateful entertain ■ 

 ment to every observer of nature. Slie has also been 

 known not only to nurse with tenderness the young 

 of different individuals of her own species, but even 

 those of other kinds of animals. 



" My friend (says Mr. White, in his Natural 



* ilonthiy M;i<!a2lne for Jinuarv, ISOI. 



