26 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
It seems assiduous to please, but it often obtains 
confidence merely to abuse it. 
43. Generally speaking, these animals have but a 
slight affection for the person with whom they live ; 
their attachment being rather for the house than the 
owner. Yet their figure, their tricks, their graceful 
motions, and the beauty of their skins, render them 
almost universal favourites. When young they are 
exceedingly playful, but with age they acquire much 
gravity, and often an increase of savageness. In 
their habits they are active, cleanly, delicate, and 
remarkably fond of ease. 
44. They possess a very acute sense both of sight 
and smell ; and by the peculiar structure of their 
eyes, which sparkle in the dark, they are able to 
discover their prey, such as rats and mice, as well in 
the night as during the day ; and a Cat that is a 
good mouser will soon clear a house of these trouble- 
some little quadrupeds. 
45. By the ancient Egyptians cats were consid- 
ered as objects of sacred worship. How far their 
superstition carried them may be shown by the fol- 
lowing historical fact. When Cambyses, the Persian 
general, attacked Pelusium, a strong city on the con- 
fines of Egypt, he commanded his army, as they 
made an onset, to carry with them a vast number of 
Cats. 
46. This stratagem had the desired effect ; for 
What are they attached to rather than their owner ? 
What makes them such favourites ? 
How are they in their habits ? 
What is said of their sense of sight and smell 1 
How do they discover their prey ? 
How were Cats considered by the ancient Egyptians ? 
How did Cambyses, the Persian, attack and take possession of 
Pelusium ? 
