SACRED ANIMALS 



91 



South- Western Asia. Beyond this, it is interesting to note that 

 in days gone by the Caffre Cat was also found in South-eastern 

 Europe, and its fossihzed remains have been found at Gibraltar. 



Long, long ago the Caffre was held to be a sacred animal by 

 the Egyptians, and their love for the creature is depicted in many 

 of the remarkable epitaphs that they have left behind. 



Their bodies were embalmed and preserved in tombs and other 

 places, two famous cities that may be mentioned in this respect 

 being Beni-Hassan and Bubastis. It is interesting to notice that 

 the mummified remains of these pets of the Egyptians are identical 

 with the Wild Caffre Cat, and there seems good reason to suppose 

 that the animals which found so much favour with the Egyptians 

 were tamed individuals of the wild species shown in Fig. 70. 

 These Cats were doubtless great hunters, and were of assistance 

 to the inhabitants of Egypt in the long ago in helping them to 

 procure food, for even to-day many of us are aware that the docile 

 pussy purring before the fire can, if occasion demands it, become 

 one of the keenest poachers among four-footed beasts. 



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