THE CAT. 229 



association, tliis is apparent. It you compare the 

 play ot puppies with that of kittens, you will find 

 in the one case that companionship of some kind 

 is an essential, tor if a pupp)' has no playmate of 

 his own species he will always try to make one 

 of the nearest biped ; whereas a cork or a bit 

 of string- is all that is necessary to satisfy the re- 

 quirements of the kitten. The way in which the 

 cat takes its tood is a sure sign that, in its natural 

 state, it is not in the habit of associating with 

 greed)" companions. W^ien given something to 

 eat, it first carefully smells the morsel, then takes 

 it in a deliberate and gingerl)' way, and sits down 

 to finish it at leisure. There is none oi' that in- 

 clination to snatch hastil)- at any food held before 

 it w'hich we observe even in well-trained dogs ; 

 nor does a cat seem In an)- hurry to stow 

 its goods in the one place where thieving rivals 

 cannot interfere with them. Indeed no greater 

 contrast in natural table manners can be observed 

 anywhere than when we turn from the kennel or 

 the pigst)- and watch the daint)- wa)- in which a 

 cat takes its meals. That a cat allows people to 

 approach it while it is feeding without showing 

 jealous)', proves that it does not attribute to 

 human beings like tastes with its own, A dog 



