Cats. 



47 



more recalls this rude anatomy than does a serpent. From 

 the tips of his whiskers to the extremities of tail and claws 

 he is so much living india-rubber. One never thinks of mus- 

 cles and bones whilst looking at him {Jias he any muscles and 

 bones T), but only of the reserved electric life that lies wait- 



Cat and Serpent. 



Pen drawing by D. Munro, after Karl Bodmer. 



ing under the softness of the fur. What bursts of energy 

 the creature is capable of ! I once shut up a half -wild cat 

 in a room and he flew about like 'a frightened bird, or like 

 leaves caught in a whirlwind. He dashed against the 

 window-panes like sudden hail, ran up the walls like ar- 

 rested water, and flung himself everywhere with such 

 rapidity, that he filled as much space, and filled it almost 

 as dangerously, as twenty flashing swords. And yet this 



