210 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



fpring by an aimed indiffbluble tie, is fometimes known 

 to ert her own young the moment after fhe has produced 

 them. 



Though extremely ufeful in deftroying the vermin that 

 infeft our houfes, the Cat feems little attached to the 

 perfons of thofe that afford it protection. It feems to be 

 under no fubje&ion, and acts only for itfelf. All its 

 views are confined to the place where it has been brought 

 up 5 if carried elfwhere, it feems loft and bewildered : 

 Neither careffes nor attention can reconcile it to its new 

 fituation ; and it frequently takes the firft opportunity of 

 efcaping to its former haunts. — Frequent inftances are in 

 our recollection of Cats having returned to the place 

 from whence they had been carried, though at many 

 miles diftance, and even acrofs rivers, when they could 

 not poflibly have any knowledge of the road or fituation 

 that would apparently lead them to it. — This extraordi- 

 nary faculty is, however, poflefled in a much greater de- 

 gree by Dogs j yet it is in both animals equally wonder- 

 ful and unaccountable. 



In the time of Hoel the Good, king of Wales, who 

 died in the year 948, laws were made as well to pre- 

 ferve, as to fix the different prices of animals; among 

 which the Cat was included, as being at that period of 

 great importance, on account of its fcarcity and utility. 

 The price of a kitten before it could fee was fixed at one 

 penny ; till proof could be given of its having caught a 

 moufe, two-pence ; after which it was rated at four- 

 pence, which was a great fum in thofe days, when the 

 value of fpecie was extremely high : It was likewife re- 

 quired, that it fhould be perfect in its fenfes of hearing 

 and feeing, fhould be a good moufer, have its claws 

 whole, and, if a female, be a careful nurfe : If it failed 



