178 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



Animals of the CAT Kind. 



"TTTTE have hitherto been employed in the pleafing 

 \ Y talk of describing moft of thofe numerous tribes 

 of animals that are more nearly connected with the inte- 

 refts of mankind ; that ferve as the instruments of man's 

 happinefs, or at leaft, that do not openly oppofe him ; 

 that depend upon his care for their fubfiftence, and in 

 their turn contribute largely to his comfort and fupport. 

 We have taken an ample range among the wilder inha- 

 bitants of the foreft, which, though in a more remote 

 degree dependant on man, are neverthelefs objects of 

 his attention and purfuit. We have followed Nature to 

 her moft retired recefles, and have feen and admired 

 her works under a variety of the moft beautiful living 

 forms *, but our progrefs has hitherto been unftained with 

 blood. 



The attention of our readers will now be engaged in a 

 different purfuit. The fcene mud be diverfified. 



We come now to a fanguinary and unrelenting tribe, 

 ■ — the bold and intrepid enemies of man ; that difdain to 

 own his power, and carry on unceafing hoftilities againft 

 him. 



This numerous and ferocious tribe is chiefly diftin- 

 guifhed by their fharp and formidable claws, which are 

 lodged in a (heath, and are capable of being extended or 

 drawn in at pleafure. — They lead a folitary and a raven- 

 ous life ; and never unite for mutual defence or fupport, 

 like thofe of the herbivorous kinds. They feek their 

 food alone, and are frequently enemies to each other. 

 Though differing greatly in fize and in colour, they are 

 nearly allied to each other in form and diijofition, being 



