THfi DOMESTIC CAT. 303 



their extremities so many points in the periphery of a 

 circle equal (at least), in extent, to the circumfe- 

 rence of any part of their own bodies. With this in- 

 strument, it is supposed that, by a little experience, 

 they can at once determine whether any aperture 

 ^mong hedges or shrubs (in which animals of this 

 g"nus live in their wild state) is large enough to ad- 

 mit their bodies ; which to them is a matter of the 

 greatest consequence, whether pursuing or pursued. 

 They have likewise a power of erecting and bringing 

 forward the whiskers on their lips ; which probably 

 is for the purpose of feeling, whether a dark hole be 

 farther permeable *. 



Cats are very seldom, like the Dog, attached to 

 our persons : all their attachment seems to be con- 

 fined to the houses where tliey have been brought 

 up. Instances are very common of Cats returning, of 

 their own accord, to the place from whence they 

 have been carried ; though at the distance of many 

 miles, and even across rivers where they could not 

 possibly have had any knowledge either of the road 

 or the direction that would lead them to it. This 

 may perhaps arise from their having been acquainted 

 in their former habitations v/ith all the retreats of the 

 Mice, and the passages and outlets of the house ; 

 and from the disadvantage which they must experi- 

 ence in these particulars by changing their residence. 

 No experiment can be more beautiful than that 

 of setting a kitten for the first time before a look_ 

 ing-glass. The animal appears surprised and picas- 



* Zcx)nomia* 



