HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 209 



vifion, and takes advantage of this fuperiority to difcover 

 and furprize its prey. 



The cry of the Cat is loud, piercing, and clamorous ; 

 and whether exprefiive of anger or love, is equally vi- 

 olent and hideous. — Its call may be heard at a great dis- 

 tance ; and is fo well known to the whole fraternity, 

 that on fome occafions feveral hundred Cats have been 

 brought together from dfferent parts. Invited by the 

 piercing cries of diflrefs from a Suffering fellow-creature, 

 they affemble in crowds; and, with loud fqualls and 

 yells, exprefs their horrid Sympathies. They frequently 

 tear the miferable object to pieces; and, with the mod 

 blind and furious rage, fall upon each other, killing and 

 wounding indifcriminately, till there is Scarcely one left 

 TheSe terrible conflicts happen only in the night ; and, 

 though rare, inftances of very furious engagements are 

 well authenticated. 



The Cat is particularly averfe to water, cold, and bad 

 Smells.— -It is fond of certain perfumes ; but is more par- 

 ticularly attracted by the Smell of valerian, marum, and 

 cat-mint. It rubs itfelf againfl them ; and, if not pre- 

 vented from coming at them in a garden where they are 

 planted, would infallibly deftroy them. 



The Cat brings forth twice, and Sometimes thrice, a 

 year. The period of her geftation is fifty-five or fifty-fix 

 days ; and fhe generally produces five or fix at one litter. 

 She conceals her kittens from the male, left he fliould 

 devour them, as he is Sometimes inclined ; and, if appre- 

 henfive of being difturbed, will take them up in her 

 mouth, and remove them one by one to a more Secure 

 retreat: Even the female herfelf, contrary to the efta- 

 blUhedlaw of Nature, which binds the parent to its off- 



O 



