m 
CAfc 
the whole surface- of the eve-bail, and, as every 
one must have seen,, their eyes £eem on fire. ' By 
this peculiar conformation, their eyes see better in 
darkness than light ; and the animal is thus bet* 
ter adapted fof spying out, and surprising its 
prey, 
f f Although the cat is an inhabitant of our houses, 
yet it cannot properly be called a dependant ; al~ 
though perfectly tame, yet it acknowledges no obe- 
dience ; on the contrary, it does only just w hat it 
thinks fit, and no art can controul any of its in- 
clinations. In general, it is but half tamed j and 
has its attachments rather to the place in which it 
resides, than to the inhabitant, if the inhabitant 
quits the house, the cat still remains ; and if car- 
ried elsewhere, seems for a while bewildered with 
its new situation. It must' take time to become ac- 
quainted with the holes and retreats in w hich its 
prey resides, w ith all the little labyrinths through 
which they often make good an escape. 
ec The cat is particularly fearful of water, of cold, 
and of ill smells. It loves to keep in the sun, to 
get near the fire, and to rub itself against those w ho 
carry perfumes. It is excessively fond of some 
plants, such as valerian, mamm, and cat-mint ; 
against these it rubs, smells them at a distance, 
and, at last, if they be planted in a garden, wears 
them out. 
“ This animal eats slowly, and with difficulty, as 
Its teeth are rather made for tearing, than chew- 
ing its aliments. For this reason, it loves the 
most tender food, particularly fish, which it eats 
as well boiled as raw. Its sleeping is very light ; 
and it often seems to sleep, the better to deceive its 
prey. When the cat walks, it treads very softly, 
and w ithout the least noise ; and as to the neces- 
sities of nature, it is cleanly to- the last degree. 
