Class I. DOMESTIC CAT. 99 



not only curious, as being an evidence of the 

 simplicity of antient manners, but it almost 

 proves to a demonstration that cats are not abo- 

 rigines of these islands, or known to the earliest 

 inhabitants. The large prices set on them, (if 

 we consider the high value of species at that 

 time*) and the great care taken of the improve- 

 ment and breed of an animal that multiplies so 

 fast, are almost certain proofs of their being 

 little known at that period. 



* Howe! dda died in the year 948, after a reign of thirty-three 

 years over South Wales, and eight years over all JVales. 



H 2 



