CAT. 
229 
If any one stole or killed the cat that guarded the 
prince’s granary, he was to forfeit a milch ewe, its 
fleece and lamb ; or as much wheat as when poured 
on the cat suspended by its tail (the head touching 
the floor) would form a heap high enough to cover 
the tip of the former.” 
This was a notable custom in days of yore, and 
proper to be observed when cats were scarce: at 
present, however, affairs are changed, and whole 
litters of their blind offspring are daily devoted, 
without remorse, to a pail of water. 
The above quotation is not only curious, as being 
an evidence of the simplicity of antient manners, 
but, as Mr. Pennant observes, it almost proves to a 
demonstration that cats are not aborigines of these 
islands, or known to the earliest inhabitants. The 
large prices set on them, if we consider the value 
of specie at that time, and the great care taken of 
the improvement and breed of an animal that mul- 
tiplies so fast, are almost certain proofs of their being 
little known at that period. 
When M. Baumgarten was at Damascus he saw 
there a kind of hospital for cats ; where they were 
kept in a large house walled round, and it was said 
that the apartments were quite filled with them. 
He was told, when he inquired into the origin of 
this singular institution, that Mahomet, when he 
once lived there, brought with him a cat, which he 
kept in the sleeve of his gown, and carefully fed 
with his own hands. His followers in this place, 
therefore, ever afterwards paid a superstitious respect 
