LIONS AND CATS. 
23 
“ So is Bruno twenty times as large as 
Aunt Meredith’s King Charles spaniel,” re¬ 
plied Richard; “ and yet they are both dogs. 
But I am sure I have read in some book 
that cats and lions are the same, or nearly 
the same.” 
“You are quite right, Richard,” said Miss 
Winston. “ They both belong to the same 
genus or family in the animal-kingdom. 
The lion is the largest, and the domestic cat 
perhaps the smallest, of this family; but 
there are many strong points of resem¬ 
blance.” 
“ What do you mean, aunt, by saying that 
they are of the same genus ?” asked Annie. 
“ I mean that they resemble each other in 
so many particulars as to be classed to¬ 
gether in the divisions usually made of the 
animal-kingdom.” 
“How are animals classed?” asked 
Richard. “I always had a general idea 
that it was by means of their teeth or their 
food; but I am not clear about it. I wish, 
Aunt Louisa, you would give us some 
lectures upon Katural History.” 
“I declare, Dick, that is a grand idea!” 
said Annie. “I have always wanted to 
