488 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



of Europe. In the savage state it is of a brown-gray co- 

 lour, with transverse deeper stripes ; the tail has two or 

 three dark bands, and the extremity is black. The genuine 

 Wild Cat is to be found in the remote parts of Great Bri- 

 tain, and may be called, as Mr. Pennant observes, the 

 English Tiger. Its manners are similar to those of the 

 Lynx, living in woods, and preying during the night on 

 every animal it can conquer. 



In a domesticated state, the Cat varies greatly in colour 

 and the length and fineness of the hair, but much less than 

 the Dog ; nor is it so submissive or capable of attachment 

 as the latter animal, ever retaining much of its primitive 

 ferocity, perfidy, and cruelty, and never entirely to be 

 trusted. It has, however, a considerable and blind attach- 

 ment to its domicile # . 



However prevalent and however inexplicable the tendency 

 to variety, particularly in domesticated animals, many facts 

 seem to evince that nature seems as it were unwillingly 

 forced into the operation, as may be observed in the do- 

 mesticated Cat ; when, as is sometimes the case, it escapes 

 from the society of mankind and returns to its primitive 

 mode of life, its offspring soon return to the dark striped 

 character of the ordinary wild species. 



It is observable also, that such varieties of the Domestic 

 Cat as differ most in appearance from the common wild 

 species are proportionally more different in manners and 

 habits. The former sort will eat occasionally vegetable 

 food, which the wild varieties are not known to do ; a na- 



* It must be observed, however, that the disposition of the Do- 

 mestic Cat depends materially on its treatment. Cats are a perse- 

 cuted race, but when treated with kindness, are very nearly as 

 capable of personal attachment as Dogs. I am also inclined to 

 think that the tortoiseshell, and lighter varieties, are of a gentler' 

 disposition than the others. — P. 



