22 SPOTTED CATY. 
remained perfectly tranquil during the day* especi- 
ally when plentifully supplied with food. After 
feeding, he retired of his own accord to his box ; 
but when night approached, he discovered a 
violent inclination to get out. He was remarkably 
cleanly : and when about to void his excrements, 
he always retired to the most private corner he 
could fold. All obscure corners seemed agreeable 
to him. He would make himself anew nest in the 
bottom of an open press, or under the kitchen 
grate ; and nothing but force would make him 
leave his new abode. He was fond of adulation, 
and licked the hand of the person that caressed 
him. When gently stroaked on the back, be 
stretched himself out, and lay down on his belly. 
His skin was so sensible, that the slightest touch 
was sufficient to excite the most lively emotions. 
This great sensibility produced sometimes the 
most violent paroxisms of passion. The bare 
sight of an unknown dog was sufficient ; he would 
dart suddenly on the dog, however innocent, and 
bite him severely. He was apt to treat people 
with whom he was not acquainted, in the same 
manner, if they tried to irritate him. He hacl an 
aversion to children, and pursued them. He ex- 
pressed his passion by chattering his teeth. He 
often sat on his posteriors, and seemed to comb his 
head and whiskers with his paws, which he licked 
and moistened with his saliva. In this operation 
he often used both paws at a time, and would after- 
wards scratch all his body. He would eat bread 
equally well, whether it had been soaked in water, 
wine, or vinegar. When sugar or fruits were 
offered him, he expressed his joy by bounding and 
leaping. He ate, with equal relish, grapes, celery, 
onions, and garlic ; he did not refuse grass, moss, 
or the bark of trees. He would eat wood even 
half charred. He seemed to like flesh the least 
