304 THE DOMEFTIC CAT. 



cdwith the resemblance, and makes several attempts 

 at touching its new acquaintance ; and, at length, 

 finding its eftbrts fruitless, it looks behind the glass, 

 and appears highly astonished at the absence of the 

 figure. It again views itself; and tries to touch the 

 image with its foot, suddenly looking at intervals 

 behind the glass. It then becomes more accurate 

 in its observations ; and begins, as it were, to make 

 experiments, by stretching out its paw in different 

 directions ; and when it finds that these motions 

 arc answered in every respect by the figure in the 

 glass, it seems, at length, to be convinced of the 

 real nature of the image. The same is the case 

 with the Dog at an early age. 



The sleep of the Cat, though generally very 

 slight, is, however, sometimes so profound, that 

 the animal requires to be shaken pretty briskly be- 

 fore it can be awakened. This particularity takes 

 place chiefly in the depth of winter, and on the ap- 

 proach of snov/y weather. At such periods also, as 

 well as at somie others, the Cat diffuses a fragrant 

 smell, somewhat like that of cloves. 



It is generally supposed, that Cats can see in the 

 dark : but, though this is not absolutely the case, 

 it is certain that they can sec with much less light 

 than most other animals ; owing to the peculiar 

 structure of their eyes, the pupils of which are ca- 

 pable of being contracted or dilated in proportion to 

 the degree of light by which they are affected. In the 

 day-time, tlie pupil of the Cat's eye is perpetually 

 co";tracted, and sometimes into a mere line ; for it 

 is with difficulty that it can see by a strong light: 



