48 THE DOMESTIC CAT. 
so entirely domesticated that it was permitted to range at liberty. But, 
although so gentle and tractable towards its owner that it would sleep on the 
skirts of its master’s gown, its poultry-loving habits were too deeply implanted 
to be thoroughly eradicated, and it was quietly destructive among his neigh- 
bours’ fowls. This propensity cost the creature its life, for the irritated 
farmers caught it in the very deed of robbing their henroosts, and killed it 
on the spot. 
The native name for the Chati is Chibiguazu. It was found by experiment- 
ing on the captured Chatis, that the flesh of cats and of various reptiles was 
harmful to their constitution. Cat’s-flesh gave them a kind of mange, which 
soon killed them, while that of snakes, vipers, and toads caused a continual 
and violent vomiting, under which they lost flesh and died. Fowls however, 
and most birds, were ravenously devoured, being caught by the head, and killed 
by a bite and a shake. The Chatis always stripped the feathers from the 
birds before beginning to eat them. 
FEw of the Felidz are so widely spread or so generally known as the WILD 
Cat. It is found not only in this country, but over nearly the whole of 
Europe, and has been seen in Northern Asia and Nepaul. 
THE CAT.—(Felis domestica.) 
Whether the Wild Cat be the original progenitor of our domestic cat 1s 
still a mooted point, and likely to remain so, for there is no small difficulty in 
bringing proofs to bear on such a subject. There are several points of dis- 
tinction between the wild and the domestic cat; one of the most decided 
differences being found in the shape and comparative length of their tails. 
As may be seen from the accompanying figure, 
the tails of the two animals are easily distinguished 
from each other. The upper figure represents the 
tail of the domestic cat, which is long, slender, and 
tapering, while the lower represents the tail of the 
Wild Cat, which is much shorter and more bushy. 
In the eyes of any one who has really examined 
CATS’ TAILS. and can support the character of the Domestic Cat, 
she must appear to be a sadly calumniated creature. 
She is generally contrasted with the dog, much to her disfavour. His 
docility, affectionate disposition, and forgiveness of injuries ; his trustworthy 
