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diff --git a/43930-8.txt b/43930-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8189244..0000000 --- a/43930-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2924 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Cat, by Philip M. Rule - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Cat - Its Natural History; Domestic Varieties; Management and Treatment - -Author: Philip M. Rule - -Release Date: October 11, 2013 [EBook #43930] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAT *** - - - - -Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive/American -Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - -THE CAT - - - - -[Illustration: WHITE CAT AND KITTENS.] - - - - - THE CAT: - - _ITS NATURAL HISTORY; DOMESTIC - VARIETIES; MANAGEMENT AND - TREATMENT._ - - (_WITH ILLUSTRATIONS._) - - - BY PHILIP M. RULE. - - - _WITH AN ESSAY ON FELINE INSTINCT, - BY BERNARD PEREZ._ - - - London: - SWAN SONNENSCHEIN, LOWREY & CO., - PATERNOSTER SQUARE. - 1887. - - - - - Butler & Tanner, - The Selwood Printing Works, - Frome, and London. - - - - - TO JOHN COLAM, ESQ., - - SECRETARY TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE - PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, - - THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, - IN RECOGNITION OF THE NOBLE AND UNFAILING - DEVOTION DISPLAYED BY HIM IN ADVOCATING - THE CAUSE OF HUMANITY; - AND IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE AUTHOR'S - APPRECIATION OF HIS REGARD FOR AND INTEREST IN - THE SUBJECT OF THE FOLLOWING PAGES. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - - CHAPTER I. - - GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 1 - - CHAPTER II. - - GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS (_continued_) 10 - - CHAPTER III. - - FOOD 31 - - CHAPTER IV. - - ON THE MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF CATS 45 - - CHAPTER V. - - DOMESTIC VARIETIES 58 - - CHAPTER VI. - - ON THE DISEASES OF CATS 80 - - CHAPTER VII. - - ON THE DISEASES OF CATS (_continued_) 102 - - ESSAY ON FELINE INSTINCT 133 - - - - -PREFACE. - - -Before sending forth this little book, I consider it my duty to request -the attention of the patient reader to a few introductory and explanatory -remarks. During some portion of the past year I contributed a series of -short papers upon the cat to that most admirable monthly _The Animal -World_. Through the kind and hearty manner in which the Editor brought the -papers out from month to month, and also by the expressed desire of many -friends, I have been encouraged to reproduce the papers in the present -form. Some slight revision has, of course, been found necessary; but very -little addition has been made, it being my desire to produce a small and -attractive volume, with the hope that it may reach to many homes where the -hints it contains can perhaps be of some practical service. Nevertheless, -I hope there may be found enough interesting or instructive matter to -excite in the mind and heart of some a deeper interest in or regard for an -animal that too often is esteemed worthy of but slight attention. - -I am indebted to Mr. Harrison Weir for his kindness in supplying me with a -few particulars connected with the organization of the first Cat Show, -held at the Crystal Palace, in 1871. - -In the last chapter the reader will see that I have made several -quotations, somewhat at length: I have done so with the very kind and -ready permission of the writer, MR. HAROLD LEENEY, M.R.C.V.S. - -P. M. RULE. - -MAIDSTONE. - - - - -THE CAT. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -_GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS._ - - -The origin of the domestic cat (_Felis domestica_) is a subject about -which there has been much conjecture and scientific discussion, but -without any positive issue. Very long before the cat was kept in this -country as a domesticated animal it was possessed by the ancient Egyptians -in a tame state, and was, moreover, held in reverence by that remarkable -and superstitious people, being regarded sacred to the goddess Pasht. At -death the body was embalmed with devout care, and specimens of cat mummies -may be seen in the British Museum. The Egyptian cat (_Felis maniculata_) -may, however, be regarded as probably the original source of our familiar -puss. This wild cat is of a sandy-grey or tawny colour, and with more or -less indistinct markings of the tabby character. It is of about ordinary -size; the tail is in form somewhat like that of most of our cats, and the -ears are largish and pointed in a slightly lynx-like fashion. It is -supposed that domesticated animals spread from Egypt with the tide of -civilization westward. I may here notice that, unlike the dog, the cat -has never been tamed by the savage races of mankind. But by the -civilized, or even the semi-civilized, peoples of the world the cat is at -the present day more or less valued as a useful mouser or as a cherished -household pet. It is remarkable that at a time when the wild cat (_Felis -catus_) was very abundant in England, the house-cat was unknown. It was -evidently an animal of foreign importation, and so highly valued as a -mouser as to have been protected by royal statute. The earliest record of -the tame cat in this country is as remote as A.D. 948. Prince Howel Dda, -or Howel the Good, enforced the very just but primitive fine of a milch -ewe, its fleece and lamb, or as much wheat from the destroyer or robber -of a cat at the Royal granary as would cover it to the tip of the tail, -the animal being suspended by that member, with the head only touching the -ground. - -As the domestic cat in different parts of the world will breed -occasionally with the wild races of the locality, and as cats are conveyed -from country to country, it is probable that our cats are of somewhat -compound pedigree. It is considered probable that our fine English tabbies -have a trace of the British wild-cat blood in their veins, although it may -be obscure. The domestic cat is not regarded in zoology as the typical -form to represent the beautiful group known as the _Felidæ_, or the cat -family, as might naturally be supposed; and it might have justly been so. -But the animal chosen as the generic example is the common wild cat, and -therefore known in science as _Felis catus_, _felis_ being the generic -title and _catus_ the specific name, which every reader will understand to -signify cat. It will be beyond the scope and aim of this chapter to -describe all the known distinct species of wild cat. In describing the -true cats, such as the Pampas cat, or the Colocolo of America, the Chaus, -or the Serval of Africa, the Viverrine, or the Leopard cat of India, our -subject would lead us on from these and other "tiger cats," as the Ocelot, -and the Riman-Dahan, without power to define a clear line of distinction, -up to the leopards, and finally to the "King of Beasts" himself. Of all -these _Felidæ_ there are upwards of half a hundred distinct species known, -to say nothing of the permanent varieties--which, with regard to domestic -animals, are termed "breeds"--and the casual "sports," and variations of -colour, etc. But the true wild cat (_Felis catus_) is deserving of notice, -being the only form that is a native of this country, and often termed by -us the British wild cat, although now almost totally extinct on our -island. Its last haunt here is in the remote parts of Scotland; and so -scarce has it become, that its existence, even there, is now somewhat -doubtful. But it is still now to be found, with but slight local -variations, on the continent of Europe and Northern Asia, and is, -therefore, also known as the European wild cat. It is not found very far -north, and neither in Norway nor Sweden; there the lynx reigns supreme. -The wild cat is a fine animal, of larger growth than the cat of our -familiar acquaintance, and stands tall. It is a strong, muscular, -well-built cat,--a perfect tabby,--and so fierce an animal as to have been -justly termed the "British Tiger." An adult male measures about -twenty-eight inches in length from the nose to the root of the tail, and -the tail is about thirteen inches, which is proportionately short, and it -does not taper at the end, as does that of our domestic cats, but is about -the same thickness throughout, resembling somewhat that of the Serval. -When the animal is excited, and the tail enlarges, after the manner of all -cats, it presents a splendid brush. - -[Illustration: WILD CAT.] - -In country places, where rabbits are abundant,--and, we may add, the -smaller, but not less destructive, rodents, and a variety of feathered -game,--the barn-door cat is sometimes tempted to abscond and take to a -romantic and semi-wild life in the woods. Kittens born of such parents -have no desire for the domestic hearth, and are wild and suspicions to a -degree. Were it not for the vigilance and unremitting persecution of -gamekeepers and others, which has robbed our land of the noble _Felis -catus_, in common with many other rare and interesting creatures, it is -probable that but very few consecutive generations would suffice to -produce a truly wild race. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -_GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS._ - -(_Continued._) - - -A short time ago I had two kittens which were born in the Zoological -Gardens, Regent's Park, and bred between the domestic tortoiseshell and -the British wild cat, that have for several years occupied together a cage -in the winter aviary. This crescent-shaped row of cages, although -originally an aviary, has for some years been occupied by animals of a -decidedly bird-fancying character. There the animals in question may have -been seen, and in an adjoining cage a specimen of the Viverrine cat--so -named from the somewhat civet-like form of the muzzle. But it is a true -cat, every inch, and bears every cat in countenance by its love of fish. -Being most unusually adroit at capturing fish from shallow water, it is -commonly named the Fishing Cat. The specimen I allude to was brought from -India by the Prince of Wales, and graciously presented to the Zoological -Society. These cages contain also other animals of interest, such as the -Civet, Poradoxure, etc.[1] But to return to the kittens. When only able -to crawl, as I examined the litter, the little things spat most -vigorously, for probably they had not before seen anybody in the cage -except their keeper. The two I selected were a red tabby and a -tortoiseshell. The red tabby was a male, as red tabby cats generally are, -and he decidedly resembled his father, if not in colour, in disposition -and temperament. I took them from the litter at the early age of nearly -seven weeks. The contrast between their behaviour and that of tame kittens -was most remarkable. At the slightest surprise or displeasure they would -spit with wide-open mouth and a display of ivory fangs in a most -threatening manner. When I gave them milk, they would in a very unpolite -fashion growl together. They never ate near each other, but pouncing upon -their meat and carrying it to a far corner apart, would growl in a most -warning tone, and answer back again and again till the last morsel should -be consumed. On one occasion they had quite a desperate tug of war over -the same piece of meat, and it was with some difficulty that I could part -them, for fear of using too much force and hurting their young teeth. But -when not feeding, the tortoiseshell became not only docile, but most -affectionate and pleasing, in her little ways. She would fondle and purr -in a manner that won the affection of my heart. On the other hand, the -tabby was, at the best, passively composed, but always watchful, and never -certain in mood. I can hardly say which of the two I prized most. In the -one I admired the manifestations of its inborn nature, and would on no -account check or discourage such signs of high blood. Towards the other I -felt there was a mutual and spiritual bond of affection, which I can -better conceive than describe. Dryden's lines upon a tame leopard express -very nearly my feelings respecting these two little beasts (see page 21). -Unfortunately, the kittens died very suddenly, and at the same hour, after -a short career of three months. There is reason to suspect that poison was -the cause of their untimely end. Nothing now remains but the stuffed -skins, mounted in admirable style, under a glass case. - -Probably the veneration with which the Egyptians regarded the cat was in -no way diminished by the probable utility of their revered favourites in -keeping under the increase of such remarkably prolific and fast-growing -rodents as are mice and rats; and it is reasonable to suppose these little -animals must have been harmful in the vast stores of grain which are -recorded in ancient history. Pussy's valuable qualities as a mouser are to -the present day too well known to need much comment. A friend of mine told -me the other day that once, when he removed to another house, and had -also deposited his favourite cat, with the usual precaution of buttering -paws, and consolation of a more solid nature in addition, the servant, on -entering the kitchen in the morning, found fourteen mice lying dead on the -hearth-rug, most of them decapitated. The usual preference which cats have -for the heads of their prey is remarkable, and has been noticed in both -tame and wild animals. One of the most noticeable characteristics of the -cat kind is the silent tread. Even the footfall of the huge tigers, as -they pace to and fro in their roomy cages or in their open-air enclosures -at the Zoological Gardens is hardly to be heard. For not only is the cat a -digitigrade animal, walking absolutely "tiptoe" in the most perfect -manner, but the toes are furnished with a most elastic membrane, -constituting what are commonly called pussy's "pads." She is thus enabled -to skulk stealthily in search of her desired prey, and can on all -occasions move with that unobtrusive grace and silent ease peculiarly -characteristic of her race. The retractile construction of the peculiarity -sharp claws is also a beautiful adaptation to the requirements of these -Nimrods of creation. Generally these useful weapons are held back, nicely -sheathed and safe from harm. They are readily, however, protruded at will -when required for offensive or defensive service, in holding secure an -unfortunate victim, or as hooks to assist in climbing trees, etc. The -senses of the cat are all highly developed. That of hearing is most acute. -The sense of smell is not so acute as in the dog and some other -animals--at least, it is assumed so; but it is quite evident that the ear -and the eye are put to the best service by the cat. But dirt and bad -smells are much disliked, while, on the other hand, there is a remarkable -partiality for some smells. Cats appear to enjoy the perfume of many -flowers, and their fondness for the odour of cat-mint or valerian is -remarkable. As may be noticed by the prompt, unerring manner in which a -cat will dart at a mouse or any small moving object in almost total -darkness, she has the power to see near objects without the light required -by ourselves and most animals. Absolutely total darkness is evidently not -advantageous to pussy's vision, and the assertion that the cat can see -better in the dark must not be regarded in an abstract, but in a -comparative, sense. The pupil of the eye has the round shape, as in -ourselves, only during darkness, when it is dilated so as to receive every -ray of light available. By day, on the other hand, when there is more -light than the eye requires, the pupil contracts to an ellipse, or, in the -strongest light, to a mere line. This peculiarity is absent in the lion -and tiger and a few others. A peculiarity in the cat and some other -animals may be noticed in the highly-developed bristles, commonly called -"whiskers," but more appropriately termed "feelers." These are not, as -some may suppose, only common hairs of larger growth, but are deeply -implanted, having large swollen roots, somewhat in the form of young -onions, and are connected with highly sensitive nerves which communicate -with the brain. By means of these bristles the cat is enabled to feel its -way the more stealthily, avoiding the clumsy disturbance of surrounding -objects that might impede its progress. - -It will be seen by the foregoing brief description of its leading physical -characteristics that the cat is, of all animals, the most perfectly and -beautifully formed for the fulfilments of the instincts and requirements -of its nature. The silent, soft tread of the velvet paw, with the finely -pointed and carefully preserved claws, the terrible fangs, the keen eye, -and the light, easy, soft, yet powerful and unerring, action of the whole -body--all these render the cats, from the great Bengal tiger downwards, -the most charming and graceful creatures in animated nature. - - The panther, sure the noblest next the hind, - And fairest creature of the spotted kind; - Oh, could her inborn stains be washed away, - She were too good to be a beast of prey! - How can I praise or blame, and not offend, - Or how divide the frailty from the friend? - Her faults and virtues lie so mixed that she - Nor wholly stands condemned, nor wholly free. - -But there is yet another physical peculiarity worthy of passing notice; -viz., the remarkably loose skin. This is connected with the flesh by a -layer of very loose fibres. The cat's loose skin serves her well on many -occasions as a shield of protection, especially when scuffling with her -neighbours--an occurrence which will sometimes take place. This -peculiarity may be occasionally seen well exhibited in the jaguars and -other great cats at the Zoological Gardens, more especially when they are -young and sportive. To see the powerful manner in which these animals -embrace each other with their great hooked claws may cause some -apprehension that serious consequences are about to result. If the skin -were tightly fitted to the body, as with the horse, hog, ox, and other -herbivorous animals, the result of such violent scufflings would be very -serious. But, as may be seen, the animals do not get good hold of each -other, as the skin is dragged round with the claws, and the hold is lost. - -The following account of the sagacity of a young black-and-white tom-cat, -which occurred about twenty years ago, is, I think, worth relating as -illustrative of the retentive memory and the remarkable prescience which -many cats appear to possess as a peculiar mental endowment. - -The house being covered with corrugated iron, and the spaces formed by the -corrugations where the roof met the walls not being stopped, but left open -to admit air into the roof, the whole space of the unused interior of the -roof was a favourite breeding-place for countless broods of sparrows and -starlings. The roof was accessible to human and other intruders by a small -trap-door above the lobby at the top of the staircase. It was a square -house, of good dimensions, but of only two stories. I have described these -particulars in order to be better understood in narrating the -circumstances. - -It so happened that we wanted some small boards which had been stored away -in the roof, and we entered by the aid of a light ladder; and it also -happened that puss, unobserved, followed the example of the man-servant -and myself, but from quite another motive, prompted, doubtless, by the -chirping of the birds, it being early summer. As soon, however, as we -could get Tom down, we closed the trap, and returned the ladder to its -proper place. About a month afterwards, I had to resort to the roof again, -and accordingly went for the ladder, which was kept against a fence at -another part of the premises. As soon as I brought the ladder into the -back yard, and laid it on the ground, in order to unfasten a door leading -straight into the hall, Tom became suddenly most excited with delight. He -must have seen the ladder often since he entered the roof by it, as it was -used for various purposes, such as lighting the outdoor lamps, -window-cleaning, etc. But now he at once conceived, by a most sagacious -inference, my intention. He paced about the yard, close to the ladder, -tail erect, and talking as only an earnest and happy cat can talk. -Immediately I took the ladder in and hoisted it through the well of the -staircase, he scaled it like a squirrel, and was waiting for me to follow -upstairs. As soon then as I drew the ladder up, and raised the trap with -the end of it, and while it was in my hands, he clambered up and out of -sight. Before going up myself I thought it best to await Tom's return, and -there was but little time lost before he came down, stile by stile, with a -sparrow in his mouth. Then I at once brought down what I wanted, closed -the trap, returned the ladder to its place, and the birds afterwards -enjoyed undisturbed safety and peace. - -There was, about the same time, a tortoiseshell cat at the house of a -relative which became much attached to me. Her affection was so strong -that she even knew my knock at the front door from that of anybody else. -On hearing my knock, she would speak in her loving and expressive tone, -and meet me in the hall. She was an adult cat, the mother of many kittens, -and yet, notwithstanding the cares of life, she delighted in a most -remarkable little eccentricity of her own. It was the peculiar habit of -taking the pendent lobe of my ear into her mouth and sucking it with -charming avidity. The peculiar sensation felt under the operation, though -not unpleasant to me, was not enjoyed or tolerated by other persons, and -she was sometimes rather rudely repulsed when trying to practise upon -strangers. - -Those who admire and observe the habits of cats may have noticed that when -two are snugly engaged together in dressing their fur, they are often -mutually pleased in paying particular attention to the face and ears of -each other. A short time ago I was pleased and amused with two charming -kittens upon my knee. They were each equally resolved to lick the face and -ears of the other, and tried hard to prevail. Eventually, one became -resolute, and placing her left arm round her brother's shoulder and her -right paw upon his cheek, she licked and nibbled into his short, round -velvet ear (for they were little over two months old at the time), to her -utmost satisfaction and his evident enjoyment. - -As is well known, the cat often evinces to a remarkable degree an -instinctive power, if such it may be called, of finding its way back to a -home from which it has been removed. Some years ago, an officer of the -Royal Marines, upon promotion, removed from his private quarters at -Stonehouse, Plymouth, to Portsmouth. Having a favourite cat,--a black male -of about twelve months old,--he resolved to send it to Portsmouth by rail -in a hamper. It arrived at its destination safely enough, but on the -afternoon of the day following, which was Sunday, it was missing, but was -actually found in the garden of its beloved home at Stonehouse on the -evening of Wednesday in the ensuing week. It was at once recognised and -taken charge of by a kind neighbour, who knew the cat well. Considering it -went by train, secured in a hamper, it is difficult even to conjecture by -what means it was guided homewards, a distance of about a hundred and -thirty miles as the crow flies, and within ten or eleven days. I was -living at Stonehouse at the time this strange occurrence took -place,--about nineteen years ago,--and narrate the particulars from -memory. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -_FOOD._ - - -Although the cat is in many respects so hardy an animal as to have the -popular reputation of possessing nine lives, we must bear in mind that -puss is not of such an iron constitution as to be entirely independent of -all care. No animal better repays its owner for the attention rightly -bestowed upon it than does the cat. Pussy's wants are not many, and are -very simple indeed. It is the duty of every owner of pet animals first to -ascertain the nature and requirements of his charge, and then to use that -knowledge with thought and right feeling. Subsequent experience also -proves a good teacher, and especially so when it is supported by previous -knowledge. - -Being normally a purely carnivorous creature, the cat requires to subsist -principally upon animal food. But, nevertheless, owing to its long -established association with mankind, the domestic cat has acquired a -constitutional capacity for subsisting upon a somewhat miscellaneous bill -of fare. Consequently, the intestines of the tame cat are said to be -slightly longer and somewhat wider than in the wild races--the latter -requiring a rather less lengthened process in digesting the simple and -highly nutritious diet which instinct teaches them to select. But still -our puss is, as God created her, a perfect beast of prey. There is no -complicated stomach, as in the ox, antelope, sheep, and other -ruminants--no perfect grinders, like mill-stones, as in the mouth of the -horse, elephant, hog, etc. The dentition of the cat, as also that of the -lion, leopard, ocelot, lynx, and other _Felidæ_, is beautifully adapted by -the all-wise Creator for holding, tearing, or devouring their living prey. -On inspecting the teeth of a cat, the four large, powerful, and sharply -pointed canine teeth, or fangs, will naturally attract attention. With -these the prey is seized, and is usually carried, or the piercing and -fatal bite is effected. It will be noticed, by the way, that a cat, if -possible, always carries a mouse or a bird, quite away from the spot where -it may have been captured. The attack is, however, made with the claws -first, and the cat does not seize with teeth only, as does the dog. At the -front, between the tusks, will be seen six small incisors, and back, -behind the tusks, on fangs, are the molar and premolar, or crushing teeth. -The dentition of the cat is as follows (the letters _i_, _c_, _p_, _m_ -signifying incisor, canine, premolar, and molar):-- - - _i_{3--3 _c_{1--1 _p_{3--3 _m_{1--1} 30. - {3--3 {1--1 {2--2 {1--1} - -The milk dentition in the kitten is the same as to number, with the -exception of the molars, which are absent, and appear only as permanent -teeth. The incisors appear between two and three weeks after birth, and -are followed by the canines and molars, which are all cut by the time the -kitten has attained the age of six weeks. They are shed, and replaced by -the permanent teeth, after the seventh month. Therefore the teeth in a -kitten are twenty-six in number. It may be easily noticed that the teeth -of the lower jaw bite within those of the upper. The jaws are so -articulated as to allow of up-and-down motion only, and accordingly the -cats and other carnivora are unable to grind their food by a sideway -motion, as we do ourselves, and as is most noticeable in a horse when -feeding, but crush and chop the flesh and bones upon which they feed by a -jerking motion of the head. - -We are all familiar with the rough nature of the tongue--a peculiarity in -the cat and all her kind. It is in dressing the exceedingly beautiful and -sleek fur that the tongue is of important service, as comb, brush, and -sponge in combination. - -The domestic cat being almost a purely carnivorous animal, to say the -least, requires food of a character congenial to the instincts of her -nature. It is difficult to state in measured terms the needful quantity of -a cat's daily allowance. The amount may be regulated by observation, right -judgment, and experience. It is not so needful with cats that live in the -country, especially at a farm, where mice of different kinds and other -small game are plentiful, and a liberal supply of milk, to feed them -largely upon meat; but under less favourable circumstances the common -house cat often suffers much privation. Where there is a large family, and -but one cat or so, there may generally, with a little thought, be odd -pieces of various kinds gathered together sufficient to meet pussy's -wants. But in a small household, where limited and strict economy is -rightly observed, the poor cat may fare but badly. Under such -circumstances, in order to maintain a vigorous, happy, and respectable -cat, it will be found needful to buy cats'-meat of some sort. For this -purpose boiled horseflesh is commonly supplied, the peculiar call of the -cats'-meat man being a well-known sound in our large towns. There is, -however, but slight risk of animals fed upon this meat becoming diseased -by eating the flesh of unhealthy horses. Horseflesh is to be recommended -as convenient and cheap, and cats are also very fond of it. When in a -state of putrefaction it is most unwholesome, and if those who buy -horseflesh will be a little careful in the selection of it, the -horse-slaughterer, or "knacker," will be accordingly regardful of the -condition of the meat he supplies. - -Bullocks' or sheep's lights are excellent, especially the latter. These -are usually boiled, as they will then keep longer, and when given largely, -are better so prepared. But they are good raw, occasionally. Too constant -and abundant feeding upon raw lights, or even raw flesh of a more solid -kind, especially if not quite fresh and healthy, is liable sometimes to -scour the cat. The poor animal, however clean and regular in its habits, -may then become offensive in the house. Boiled lights are very -unsubstantial, and can be given liberally. Raw meat, however, in -moderation, is often good for a cat, especially where there are no mice or -other game, and it tends to improve the spirit of the animal. - -Cats generally prefer mutton to beef, but they will not touch fat meat, -unless they are famished, and it is most unsuitable, and should never be -offered. Fish is exceedingly good for a change, and the cat's love for -such light and cooling diet is well known; and as to rabbit or hare, there -can be no greater treat. We may also say the same of feathered game. - -An adult cat will thrive well with one feed per day, in addition to a -little good, pure milk in the morning. To this a little sweet, stale white -bread may be added. The rest can be left to chance. - -But I may here warn the owner of a pet cat against over-feeding. It is -well to be regular as to the time of feeding, for this reason: an animal -that is fed at all hours of the day will be always expecting, and always -asking and looking in a very expressive manner, and it, of course, -receives the attention of its affectionate guardians; whereas, an animal -that is regularly fed will enjoy its food with hungry relish, and will not -at other times be over-troublesome. Two errors have to be guarded against -in the feeding of animals generally, and the cat in particular: careless -neglect or grudged attention on the one hand, and, on the other, -thoughtless tampering and weak-minded indulgence. - -A supply of pure water should be kept within the cat's reach. Although of -by no means a thirsty nature, there are times when water will be sought -after, as during very dry and hot weather, or after food of a -thirst-producing character; and we never know what a cat may pick up. - -Notwithstanding that the generality of cats are very badly attended to, I -may here remark that large, strong, high conditioned animals are much -benefited by an occasional fast. This remark I make, however, with -caution, and rely upon the good sense of the reader. - -Be careful never to feed in a stale dish, and always give milk in a well -washed saucer or other vessel. Never let what the cat may leave stand -about, but dispose of it otherwise. The savour of onion is very -distasteful to all cats, and they will often loathe good meat that is -strongly seasoned with it. - -It may here be observed that the cat is even sometimes of a slightly -insectivorous propensity. Young, sportive cats, more especially, have much -amusement in playing with cockroaches, and sometimes eat them. But they -appear to eat them more from accident or idleness than from desire; much -the same as a schoolboy will eat acorns. Occasionally, pussy will be -fortunate in catching such rare game as a cricket. Flies are not easily -caught, except in a window; and they are said to make cats thin. Beetles, -I think, do a cat no harm. Lions and other beasts of prey are known to -feed largely upon locusts, which occur in such vast swarms in the great -African continent. - -It should be observed, respecting milk, that for animals generally, as -for ourselves, it is decidedly improved by boiling. Pussy will, therefore, -readily partake of bread and milk prepared for the family breakfast or -supper. And she will not often refuse a little plain baked rice-pudding, -or other simple preparation containing milk as the principal ingredient. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -_ON THE MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF CATS._ - - -Having briefly considered the general feeding of our fireside favourite, -we may proceed to discuss the consideration of its proper care and -treatment during the different stages, conditions, and circumstances of a -life that can be made happy or wretched at the mercy of those who -undertake, or may pretend to undertake, to be its possessors and -guardians. - -To begin towards the beginning, we may suppose that a charming little -kitten, of about ten or twelve weeks, has been deposited in its new home. -Being an innocent, simple, happy tempered little creature, it will make -itself at home in so pleasing a manner as to gain the approval, if not the -affection, of every kind-hearted person in the house. Supposing it to be a -well conditioned little animal, of good parentage, and from a comfortable -home, it will probably be found to prove itself a clean and nicely behaved -little innocent, if rightly managed with care and quiet attention. No -animal is instinctively cleaner in its habits, in every way, than is the -cat. It is this natural virtue which renders pussy so generally a favoured -inmate of the household. As is well known, cats are guided by a peculiar -instinct to scratch up earth for the purpose of hiding their excrements. -Where there is no access to a garden, they will resort to cinders or -coal-dust, and although not, perhaps, desirable, will meet with better -approval than the carpet. For the accommodation of a kitten indoors, it is -a good plan to have a large flower-pot saucer--the larger the better, but -not less than fifteen inches in diameter--kept in some suitable corner, -with a little clean garden-earth or sand in it. It need not contain much -earth, and it can be changed at will; but should not be allowed to become -so foul as to offend the cat. This plan, once tried, will be found to -answer well. - -Week by week the kitten increases in strength and vivacity. Do not -discourage or check the young cat in its sportiveness, although it may be -a little too rough in its vivacious evolutions. The most skittish kittens -usually make the best cats. They are generally the delight of young -children, and make charming playmates when treated gently, and not simply -made toys of. Although cats differ in disposition very considerably, they -are alike as regards a common dislike for noise and confusion, and the -little folks will sometimes require guidance and instruction in their -treatment of most pet animals. The cat is an animal of naturally a very -strong will, being most impatient of control, and the kitten that is -allowed quietly to enjoy unmolested freedom of purpose in its queer -little ways and freaks will develop, under good treatment, into a noble -spirited and well behaved cat. - -The kitten will, of course, be kept indoors at night, and as it grows, -continue the good practice. It is a common custom--but, for many reasons, -a very bad and cruel one--to habitually shut the cat out of the house at -night. If you wish pussy to have a good, sleek, unsoiled coat,--to be a -nice pet, not to be dull or asleep all the day,--and, especially, if you -wish the house kept clear of mice, keep her in at night, and let her have, -as much as may be convenient, the range of the premises. Persons who are -quite ready to complain about the nightly disturbance caused by cats in -the back-gardens of their neighbours' houses are apt to forget that their -own gentle pet may possibly be a leading performer in the nocturnal -concert. A cat will play truant occasionally, but this will not often -happen with a well cared for animal, which will prefer human society and -the comforts of a good home on most occasions. It is well, however, to let -the cat out of doors the very first thing in the morning. - -There is seldom any thought or attention given to the breeding of the cat. -This is left to nature, and with very natural result. But, -notwithstanding, those who possess a cat of a choice sort, and wish to -continue or improve the strain, or to effect a cross, can do so with less -trouble than may be supposed to be needful. Watch the cat well, if a -female, and upon the first indication of the well-known sign be very -careful to prevent her from straying in the least. Then introduce the -approved "tom," and allow them to remain together--say for a night--in -some outbuilding or spare room. He can afterwards be returned with thanks; -but be careful to keep "kitty" quite safe for more than a week afterwards, -or as long as may be considered needful. All will then be right, and there -need be no more thought or care upon the subject. At the completion of a -term of fifty-six days, the litter may be expected. As is well known, -kittens are born blind, and remain so till about the ninth day. The -domestic cat is more prolific than the wild species, having often three -litters in the year. A cat of mine, some time ago, gave birth to -twenty-two within twelve months. The age of sterility commences about the -ninth year. The wild cat reproduces about twice a year, and the period of -gestation is said to be as long as sixty-eight days, which may be correct, -and if so, is remarkable. - -It is usually expedient to destroy some of the new-born kittens--of -course, the least handsome and promising of the litter. But it is -exceedingly cruel to rob the fond mother of all her little ones. When thus -deprived, a cat often suffers exceedingly, as may be evident by the -symptoms which ensue; and her lamentations are painful to hear--much too -expressive to be misunderstood. Always retain one, if not two or more, of -your selection--the whole litter, if you really wish it. If there be a -numerous litter,--say, five,--it is better not to remove all at once, but -two the first day and two the next day; or, better still, a third kitten -the second day, and afterwards the fourth. Take them as much unobserved by -the mother as possible. Drowning is the usual and probably the simplest -and best method of ending the brief existence of the little creatures; but -it must be properly and completely done. Have ample depth of water in a -pail or other vessel, with the addition of just enough hot water to take -off the chill--not more. They must be put completely under, and on no -account allowed to rise for one second. If you have nerve and patience, -simply keep them down with your hand till they cease to move, or else -place some article above them in such a way as to serve effectually. They -must remain under water for some time, even though life may appear to be -extinct. Many years ago, I learned by sad experience the danger of being -too expeditious in executing this duty. In drowning a large, powerful -animal, care and tact are especially required. Be quiet, cool, prompt, and -firm. - -The loving and devoted attachment to her offspring is remarkable in the -cat. She will face any danger in defending them, and will, above any other -animal, often delight to foster kittens not her own, and has been known to -cherish and rear the young of animals of quite a distinct kind, such as -puppies, the young of the squirrel, rat, hedgehog, etc. The following -touching incident took place at the destructive fire that burned down -Lusby's Music Hall, London, on the 20th January, 1884. I give the account -as related in _The Animal World_ for March, 1884:-- - -"Mr. Crowder, one of the proprietors of the hall, possessed a favourite -tabby and tortoiseshell cat, which was well known to the frequenters of -the hall. The cat had a family of four kittens, which she was allowed to -keep in a basket at the rear of the stage. Soon after the fire was -discovered, the cat was seen rushing about frantically. She several times -attempted to make her way down the corridor in the direction of the stage, -but each time was beaten back by the smoke. Presently she reappeared with -one of the kittens in her mouth. This she laid carefully down at her -master's feet in the small hall which the fire had not touched. Again she -rushed through the smoke, and again reappeared with a kitten, and this -manoeuvre she repeated the third time. She was now apparently half-blinded -and choked by the smoke she had passed through, and it was thought that -she would be content; but she seemed unable to rest while she knew that -one of her kittens was still in danger; and, giving a look at the little -struggling group on the floor, the cat, evading some one who tried to stop -her, once more dashed down the corridor towards the seething mass of -flames, which by this time had enveloped the stage and the lower end of -the hall. Her return was anxiously awaited, but she did not come back. -Afterwards, when examining the ruins, some of the firemen came across the -charred and blackened remains of the mother and kitten, lying side by side -where the fire had overtaken them." - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -_DOMESTIC VARIETIES._ - - -In the estimation of persons who have no appreciation of the beautiful in -animal life, a cat is a cat, and nothing but a cat. I have often observed -some surprise expressed by visitors at a large cat-show on seeing an -assemblage of so many different sorts of cats. These same persons had -often seen examples of every class before--in the houses of friends, in -shops, gardens, etc., etc.; but the beauties had been passed unobserved. -At a good show, where well-selected specimens of the common house cat are -arranged in line, and classed according to colour, sex, etc., a novice -cannot but be surprised at the unexpected sight of so interesting an array -of feline beauty. At the leading shows the animals are arranged in two -main divisions; viz., long-haired and short-haired cats. These two -divisions are again sub-divided into he-cats, she-cats, kittens, and -gelded cats. The he and she-cats are again divided in classes according to -colour, as tortoiseshell and tortoiseshell and white, brown, blue or -silver, and red tabby, tabby and white, and spotted tabby; also cats of -unusual colour, and Manx, or tailless cats. A brief description of the -characteristic points of the different classes, as at the Crystal Palace, -will be given in this chapter. - -The 13th of July, 1871, was a memorable day in the cat world, and an -eventful one at the Crystal Palace, for it was then and there that the -very first cat-show took place. Mr. Harrison Weir, F.R.H.S., the -well-known animal painter, has the honour of being the originator of these -interesting exhibitions; and he has kindly placed at my disposal a few -particulars respecting the primary arrangements. He suggested the idea to -Mr. Isaac Wilkinson, manager at that time, drew up the schedule of prizes, -the way in which the classes were to be judged, the amount of prize-money, -etc.; and he also acted as judge. The show was put under the management -of Mr. Wilson, of the Natural History Department, who very ably conducted -it; and the whole affair proved a gratifying success--so much so, that Mr. -Weir received the thanks of the Directors, and a very handsome, large -silver tankard, with suitable inscription. So great a success did the -exhibition prove, that it was immediately decided to repeat it later in -the year.[2] The show was also held twice in the year following (1872), -and has been continued annually ever since. "My idea," Mr. Weir remarks, -"for holding a show was that the cat was a truly useful domestic animal, -though a much neglected one, and if I could only induce the multitude to -take a pride in their cats, and select them more for their beauty and -ultimate value in the market, I might achieve a good result in the way of -kindly treatment to an animal much neglected by some." - -The great success and the good example of the Crystal Palace show was very -naturally soon followed up at Edinburgh, Birmingham, Glasgow, and many -large centres of population, and now even the smaller provincial towns can -boast an annual exhibition of feline favourites. - -The varieties of our short-haired cat will now deserve our attention. - -_Tortoiseshell._--Cats of this breed are also sometimes called Spanish -cats, and display a very marked contrast to the tabby varieties. The -general colour is a kind of reddish tawny, or sandy, more or less thickly -covered with blotches or dabs of black. So very irregular are the markings -in these cats, that some individuals are very handsome creatures, and -some, on the other hand, are far from prepossessing in appearance. -Tortoiseshell cats are of somewhat smaller growth. But, in our comparative -estimate of size, we are apt to be somewhat misguided, from the fact that -all the tortoiseshell cats we meet with are she-cats, and can never attain -the large size of the tom tabby cats, with which they are often compared. -The tortoiseshell male cat is a treasure often sought for, but very, very -seldom found. Ever since the commencement of the shows just alluded to, -there has been only a single specimen of the pure tortoiseshell male cat -exhibited. Experiments have been tried in every way to breed to this -colour, but without the desired result. But tortoiseshell and white -he-cats are occasionally to be seen. At the last Crystal Palace show there -were two very fine toms of this description. - -Our common favourites, the tabby cats, are, on the whole, the handsomest -and the best. They are of every shade, but three distinct varieties are -known as brown, blue or silver, and red. - -[Illustration: TABBY CAT.] - -_Brown Tabby._--Although there is considerable individual variation in -these cats, the general characteristics are as follows:--The -ground-colour should be a deep, rich brown grey, striped with black. These -markings converge from a central stripe of black, more or less broken, -which follows the line of the spine, a mark in some degree characteristic -of the whole feline race. The tail is barred with black, and a line of -narrow stripes runs from the forehead, passes between the ears, and, -passing down the neck, it disappears. The face is adorned with little -swirls and stripes, so disposed as to give the general expression of the -countenance that air of satisfaction so peculiar to puss. The under parts -of the body may be of a paler colour, but no pure white is seen in a true -tabby tom-cat. The tip of the nose, the lips, and the pads of the paws -are to be desired of a dark colour. One, if not two, bold swirls of black -across the chest are to be looked for in these cats. They have been -appropriately termed "the Lord Mayor's chain." These tabby cats are -generally large, portly animals, if properly reared, very intelligent, and -often most affectionate. The females are most gentle, and the best of -mothers. - -_Blue or Silver Tabby._--This is a pale variety of tabby, which is -sometimes beautiful. The ground-colour is a silver grey, with the stripes -of a darker shade. - -_Red Tabby._--In bold contrast with the blue, these fine cats are of a -bright sandy yellow, with the usual markings of a deeper shade. Some of -these cats are of very good colour, so much so as to be distinguished by -their proud owners under the very aspiring title of "Orange Tabby." These -cats, in the main points, are like the brown tabby. The fur should be -short, but full and thick, the ears rather short and round. In the tabby -breeds the female is seldom without white, which generally appears upon -the muzzle, throat, paws, etc. This is, most remarkably, a characteristic -in the red tabby cats, a female of that colour without white being almost -as rare a zoological curiosity as the wonderful tortoiseshell tom. - -_Spotted Tabby_ cats are distinguished from the others by having, instead -of the usual stripes or cloudings, a pattern of quite a distinct type. The -markings are broken up into small, well-defined spots, being more or less -elongated upon the sides, transversely to the stripes along the back. - -In the class of spotted tabby he-cats at the Crystal Palace there might -have been seen a specimen named "Coppa," which was justly awarded first -prize. The owner of this cat, Mr. J. Scott, has kindly favoured me with -the history of Coppa, which is of some interest when regarded -zoologically. The father of Coppa was a leopard-cat (_Felis Bengalensis_), -picked up at an East Indian coffee plantation, and brought to England by a -gentleman, who handed it over to Mr. Scott. He kept it for two years, and -bred ten kittens by two mothers. Coppa is one of these kittens. As his -mother was an English tabby, and as the pedigree of the sire is so -unmistakably pure, and of the spotted kind, it is not surprising that he -was the model of a spotted tabby. - -It will not be out of place here to give a brief description of the -leopard-cat, as delineated in "Cassell's Natural History." - -"This is another of the numerous Indian cats, and is a very beautiful -species. Its hide is of a yellowish grey, or bright tawny hue, quite white -below, and marked with longitudinal stripes on the head, shoulders, and -back, and with large irregular spots on the sides, which become rounded -towards the belly. The tail is a spotted colour, indistinctly ringed -towards the tip. The body, from the end of the snout to the tip of the -tail, attains a length of from thirty-five to thirty-nine inches, eleven -or twelve of which are made up by the tail. - -"The leopard-cat is found throughout the hilly region of India, from the -Himalayas to the extreme south, and Ceylon, and in richly wooded -districts, at a low elevation occasionally, or when heavy jungle grass is -abundant, mixed with forest and brushwood. It ascends the Himalayas to a -considerable elevation, and is said by Hodgson even to occur in Tibet, and -is found at the level of the sea in the Bengal Sunderbunds. It extends -through Assam, Burmah, the Malayan peninsula to the islands of Java and -Sumatra, at all events. It is as fierce as any of its savage kin." - -Mr. Scott sold his leopard-cat to the Zoological Society, and also -presented with it the mother of Coppa and one kitten. But they -unfortunately took a form of distemper, and all died, and other cats by -the side of them. Coppa, Mr. Scott remarks, is probably the only one left. - -Mr. Scott also remarks that he keeps Coppa confined, for fear of losing -him. He was marked as dangerous at the show, on account of his pedigree, -but is really "perfectly tame and very fond." I judged so myself from his -appearance and manner. He did, certainly, spit at a lady who blew in his -face; but any good cat, with a spark of self-respect, would do so. - -_Black._--These fine cats are not so commonly met with, of entire colour, -as the brown tabbies, but are more plentiful than either the red or the -blue. This colour is probably never met with in any of the wild cats, and -would, I am inclined to think, be rare in the domestic races but for a -prevailing superstitious notion, to be met with even in our enlightened -age, that in some way good fortune or luck attends the homestead where a -black cat dwells. And, moreover, that to destroy a black cat, or even a -black kitten, from the purest motive, is an act likely to be followed by -some misfortune. May I be allowed to endeavour to dispel this notion from -the mind of any reader who may cherish a vestige of belief in the old -charms of witchcraft, by boldly asserting that the black cat is simply a -tabby. In some black cats, and commonly in black kittens, the tabby -character of the fur may be distinctly seen. Black leopards and jaguars -are occasionally, but rarely, to be met with; and this natural melanizm -has been attributed to a larger proportion of iron in the blood. There is -more iron in the blood of negroes, it is said, than in that of Europeans. -Now, in these black leopards the distinctive pardine livery of the species -is always present, and visible upon minute inspection. "Can the Ethiopian -change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" (Jer. xiii. 23). Likewise, in -our black cats, although not visible, the normal tendency of the species -to maintain and reproduce its characteristic livery is inherent in the -blood. - -The black cat, like the black leopard, if well bred and properly reared, -is a most perfect specimen of its kind, having all the powers and -instincts of his nature most strongly developed. When in good health and -properly managed, and not shut out of doors at night, the black cat is -generally a splendid creature, with a coat like satin for lustre. - -_White._--In bold contrast to the black cat is the white. Albinos, or -abnormally colourless animals, are generally deficient in strength of -constitution. It is owing to this fact that white cats are often more or -less deaf. In selecting a kitten, I would never choose a white one. There -is something very charming about a snow-white kitten, but, when it becomes -a cat, expect disappointment, more especially if in or near London, or -some large town, where its purity is sure to be sullied by fog or smoke. -It will, moreover, probably become dull and listless, and more liable to -colds and other ailments than its more robust relatives. - -_Manx_ cats, as is well known, are remarkable for having no tail, or -rather, only a very rudimentary tail. The breed is curious, and it is -doubtless on that account alone that it is preserved. In other respects -these cats are like the ordinary animals. - -_Siamese._--The handsome royal cat of Siam is at present but rare in this -country, and is worthy of careful preservation as a breed. It is a curious -cat, of one colour, a clear tawny or buff, with the exception of the -muzzle, face, ears, and feet, which are black; and the fur is short, but -thick and sleek. It is a cat of average size, and of compact build. At -first glance it almost suggests to the mind the figure of a pug dog. - -Cats are occasionally met with, in the unusual variety class at shows, of -very extraordinary colour, as slate colour, uniform grey, or mouse colour, -brown, tawny, etc. Such as these may be regarded as simply unfinished -tabby cats--if I may be allowed to use the convenient expression. And, -occasionally, cats may be seen with six claws. - -[Illustration: LONG HAIRED CAT.] - -_Long-haired cats_, as Angola (or Angora) and Persian.--These cats, -especially the Angola, are sometimes very fine animals. The hair is very -long and silky, forming a thick mane upon the neck and upon the cheeks, -and hangs from the sides in a manner which somewhat reminds one of the -musk ox. The long tail is likewise pendant with long, silken hair, and -when in good order looks very handsome. A good cat of the kind seems -almost aware of its own beauty; and we know that puss has the universal -reputation of being proud. But these cats require care and a good home. If -neglected, exposed, or ill-treated, no animals sooner degenerate. They -are, moreover, disposed to become lazy and listless, and, although -fashionable in a drawing-room, are not such pleasing companions, or of the -same utility as mousers, as are the sleek, agile, graceful, and -intelligent animals with which we are more familiar. - -_Gelded cats_ often grow very large, and, if properly kept, sometimes live -to a great age. They make good, sociable pets, are not inclined to play -truant, and they do not smell. The process is not a painful one if -properly performed, and an animal thus treated will escape the temptation -to stray or to combat with his fellows. At the age of six months, or even -a little earlier, is the time at which a kitten should be sent to the -veterinary surgeon. But on no account whatever must the operation be -attempted upon an animal of more advanced growth. As I have just -intimated, one advantage gained is that it will not secrete and eject that -characteristic fluid, the pungent odour of which is well known, and is, to -some persons, very offensive. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -_ON THE DISEASES OF CATS._ - - -I must now endeavour to describe a few of the ailments to which pussy is -liable, and by pointing out the cause, when possible, may hope to assist -the kind reader in avoiding the evil effect, bearing in mind the -well-known proverb, Prevention is better than cure. - -Considering the careless feeding to which the cat is often subjected, her -digestive organs must be somewhat enduring; but, on this account, they -must not be overtaxed or disregarded. There is a very simple medicine to -which puss will instinctively resort occasionally, which is grass. In an -old translation of Pliny may be found the following quaint prescription -for the cure of a sick lion:-- - -"The lion is never sicke but of the peevishness of his stomache, loathing -all meat: and then the way to cure him is to ty unto him certaine shee -apes, which, with their wanton mocking and making mowes at him, may move -his patience, and drive him, from the very indignitie of their malapert -saucinesse, into a fit of madnesse, and then, so soon as he hath tasted -their bloud, he is perfectly wel againe: and this is the only help." - -Now, without the aid of a violent remedy such as the above-prescribed, -Miss Puss can stroll quietly out of doors and help herself to a small -quantity of selected grass. This simply acts medicinally as either an -emetic or as a purgative. It has been my practice, when keeping cats -confined, to have some fresh, healthy grass in a large flower-pot in the -most sunny spot, and sometimes put out in the open garden, so as to -receive the benefit of all the light, air, and sunshine available. - -_Diarrhoea_ is a complaint to which the cat is sometimes subject in a mild -form, and may attract but little notice; or it may be so severe or -protracted as to cause great distress, and even prove fatal. As in -ourselves, it may be brought on by violent changes of temperature, -together with unwholesome food or drink, irregular feeding, too much fat -meat, putrid matter, too much liver, sour milk, etc. But in the cat the -excrements may occasionally appear slightly loose without the animal -seeming in the least unwell. This need cause little concern, although -slight attention to the general diet and requirements of the animal will -not be unwise. In this respect cats differ somewhat from dogs, which are -constitutionally of rather constipated habit. When the cat is really ill, -it will look so. Puss is a comfort-loving creature, and in nursing, -comfort is to be the main consideration. Be careful to attend to the -accommodation of clean habits, and allow a fresh supply of earth or sand, -as alluded to in Chapter IV. - -There is a very simple remedy, and which I have proved to be a sufficient -one, prescribed by the Honourable Lady Cust in her little book upon the -cat, and I may here quote her own words:-- - -"In the commencement give new milk, with mutton-suet melted in it; the -proportion of a piece of nice fresh suet, without skin, the size of a -large walnut, to a teacupful of milk. Keep the cat warm and quiet in a -comfortable nest, and if it be too ill to lap, give it, every two hours, a -teaspoonful of the mixture, only just warm enough to melt the suet. Put it -gently into the mouth with a small spoon. You need not swathe the cat, as -after the first spoonful is swallowed it will feel the benefit, and -swallow another; but do not give much; it is better to give very little -that will remain and do good, than a large quantity which will return. -Treat the complaint in other ways as in the human subject. Observe if -there be no bile; and if there is not, give to a full-grown cat a grain -and a half of the grey powder (_Album. cum creta_) used in similar cases. -As I before observed, you must watch the effect of your remedy, as the -complaint may change at once; if it does not, and there is still no bile, -give, in about two hours, another dose. - -"If the diarrhoea continue, give a teaspoonful of chalk mixture, used for -the same complaint in human beings, with seven or eight drops of tincture -of rhubarb, and four or five of laudanum, every few hours, until it -cures. Cats will continue as ill as possible for a few days, their eyes -even fixed; but still, with watching and care, can be cured. A teaspoonful -of pure meat gravy at a time should be given now and then (but not until -near two hours after medicine), to keep up the strength until appetite -returns; then be careful what food you give, and in small quantities at a -time, as the digestion will be weak." - -If, however, under fair treatment, the poor cat does not quickly recover, -or if dysentery ensue, no hope can be entertained of its restoration; and -the wisest and most merciful act will be to end quickly the life that must -undoubtedly perish. - -In administering medicine to a cat, be careful not to alarm or excite it -by needless fuss and ado, nor try its patience by delay. Have what you -require ready to hand, and the assistance of one person. Take a large, -coarse cloth, such as a round kitchen towel or coarse apron, and seat -yourself with your face or left side to the window. Then, with the cloth -across your knees, take the cat from your assistant, and lightly gathering -up the cloth, wrap it round the cat. The reason of this is twofold: to -assist in gently holding the cat secure, and also to prevent its fur from -getting soiled by any of the medicine that may drop, and, moreover, save -your clothes also. With the cat facing towards your left hand, carefully -open the mouth. This must be done with the left hand. The mouth will be -easily opened by finger and thumb, the palm of the hand being under the -cat's throat. Gently feel with finger and thumb between the loose skin of -the lips, and then, with very slight pressure just behind the molar teeth, -the mouth will be opened wide, like magic. So long as you gently but -steadily retain the hold, the mouth will remain open. But don't allow the -cat time to become impatient, and mind your fingers. When the mouth is -opened, your assistant must promptly and carefully administer the -medicine. If it is a liquid, it must be poured in very little at a time -from a small spoon. This must not touch the mouth, or the cat will -instinctively bite at it. The instant the medicine is given, remove your -hold of the mouth and leave the head at liberty, in order that the cat may -swallow at ease. A pill should be placed well back, so as to go the right -way. A simple powder may be placed upon the tongue dry, mixed with butter, -or, if not unpleasant, can be put in a little milk, to be drank as usual. - -_The Yellows._--The cat is liable to a form of distemper known as -cat-sickness, or the yellows, which is analogous to jaundice in the human -subject. It occurs more generally in large, high-conditioned animals, and -I think it is more common in he-cats than in those of the other sex, and -it more generally occurs in early life, but seldom before the attainment -of full growth. On the approach of the malady, the cat appears unusually -dull and sleepy, and disinclined to touch any kind of food, but may -attract little attention. Soon, however, the complaint will be -self-evident by the vomiting of a peculiar yellow, frothy fluid. This -sickness will recur at intervals, and the poor animal will loathe all -food, and drink nothing but water. Sometimes the malady will run its -course, and an unexpected recovery may follow; but in many cases the -unfortunate cat becomes weaker and weaker, and ultimately dies. - -Two or three months ago, from the time I am now writing, I nearly lost a -splendid young cat named Colocolo; and I consider the unexpected recovery -due to the great strength of his constitution. He is totally black, and -was, at the time of the attack, just over eight months of age. And as the -circumstances connected with this individual case may perhaps be -interesting to any who may have a cat similarly affected, it will not be -out of place here to narrate the symptoms and the treatment, such as it -was, from first to last. - -Colocolo had been to the Crystal Palace Show, was highly commended, and -the best behaved cat in his class, often ready for a little skittish sport -with an attentive visitor. He had been home just a week when he was taken -ill. Whether he had been made a little too much of after his return from -the Palace, I cannot say for certain; but I may here remark that I do not -in the least think the show disagreed with him. He stood a four-day show -at the Albert Palace well, was very highly commended there, and returned -in high spirit. At these exhibitions the cats, many of them animals of -considerable value, have the best and most careful attention on the part -of the management. But they are sometimes pampered by their fond owners, -and I may here suggest that after the confinement and restraint of even -two nights and two days, it will be wise to be a little careful to avoid -undue feeding for a day or two if the cat be in high condition, as show -cats often are. [This mistake is equal to the folly, described with -telling effect by the late Albert Smith, of supplying blankets to a -beloved son to keep him warm while ascending Mont Blanc!--ED.][3] - -But to return to the subject now under consideration. Colocolo was as -bright as a lark, romping about, at times, with surprising vivacity and -great bodily force. He was not less lively on the evening of Tuesday, -October 27th, but the next day, however, he was observed to be listless, -and disposed only to sleep. He declined to eat throughout the day, and -about dusk his first sickness came on. For the next two days he continued -to vomit occasionally, in less quantity, however, and the bowels were -also disordered. He became weak to a degree most distressing to behold, -and the whole skin was tinged with yellow. Nature was left to work her own -cure. For five whole days and nights the poor creature ate absolutely -nothing, but he frequently manifested a desire for water. A supply was -kept constantly within his reach, and often completely renewed, for his -mouth was very foul. On the forenoon of the Monday following, the weather -being unusually mild, he crept into the garden and basked in the sunshine -for some hours. It was sad to see a fine, noble, happy-spirited animal so -altered. He was unable to move without staggering, and his hind limbs -appeared as if paralyzed. He mounted a step with difficulty, and in -descending it he tottered and rolled, or rather sank upon his side. When -he came indoors again, he returned to his bed, and fell into a most -unusually heavy sleep--in fact, I never knew a cat to sleep so heavily. -There was not a sign of life, and the eyes even appeared fixed. We thought -he had at last slept the sleep of death, and felt a pang of regret, but -not without a feeling of relief to think that the poor cat was thus -released from its distress. But, strange to say, we shortly afterwards -found that he had aroused and altered his position from on his left side, -being coiled in a ball upon the right. After some time, he left his -cushion and actually partook of a little milk, but only four or five -laps. Probably the strong air in the garden had overpowered his weak -frame, and caused that extraordinary sleep, which was the turning-point, -apparently, in his illness. But scarcely anything would he touch until -Thursday (November 5th), when I offered him some fresh raw sheep's lights, -full of blood. To my agreeable surprise, he ate what I gave, and looked -for more. I allowed him a good sized piece, as much as I considered safe -to give at first, taking into account his very weak state. On the strength -of this he picked up as by magic, and forthwith began to recruit strength -at a marvellous rate, and in a few days he became as well as ever. All his -former energy had now returned; his coat, which had become dull, dirty, -dry, and staring, is now as soft, sleek, and pure as it ever was. -Fortunately he appeared to suffer no acute pain during his illness, -although, he certainly was very miserable and dejected. But I have seen -more distressing cases of this malady in cats, and it is often most humane -to put the wretched animal out of its misery by a speedy destruction. -Fortunately the yellows is an ailment that occurs but once. - -It is, I consider, both unwise and cruel to tamper with strong drugs, and -certainly it is mistaken kindness to force milk, or any other food, down -the throat of a cat suffering from sickness. Let the poor animal be as -quiet as possible, in a comfortable nest, but not so near a fire as to be -hot. Sick animals require air, but are very sensitive to cold or the -slightest draught. As the cat is such a remarkably clean animal, it will, -whether ill or well, often take a dislike to a favourite resting-place, if -it become in the slightest degree foul or tainted. - -At the very commencement of the sickness, however, an emetic may do good -in clearing the stomach. But it should be administered at the beginning or -not at all. I have tried it with good result, and have found simple salt -and water most handy: it is harmless, at any rate. It may be mixed in the -proportion of about one-fifth part of salt. Sulphate of soda (Glauber's -salt) is sometimes preferred to salt. It must, however, be diluted in a -much larger proportion of water, and less than a teaspoonful of the -mixture will be as much as should be given. To allay an undue continuance -of sickness, arising from irritation, about half a teaspoonful of melted -beef-marrow may be found to give relief. - -_Fits._--The cat is liable to fits of a distressing nature, and they occur -in young animals--more generally about the time they attain their full -growth--and are more common in male than in female cats. When seized with -a delirious fit, the poor animal suddenly appears to go wild, dashes about -in a frantic manner, with staring eyes, often darts through a window, open -or shut, and then hides in some corner. The symptoms of a convulsive fit -are somewhat different. In such a case it utters a cry, with staring -eyes, and falls upon its side. The whole body appears stiffened, the limbs -struggle convulsively, and the mouth foams. The cat is quite harmless, -however, during the fit, and there need be no fear in handling it. But be -gentle and quiet with the poor animal. The best way to give relief is to -cut a very small slit in the thin part of the ear with a sharp pair of -scissors, or to make slight incisions with a lancet; not enough to hurt or -disfigure the ear, but just sufficient to draw a few drops of blood. It is -well to encourage the bleeding by carefully fomenting the spot with warm -water, but be very careful not to let any water enter the ear. If, -however, the bleeding is free, there will be no need for the warm-water -applications. The loss of only a few drops of blood will afford relief. -After the fit the cat will generally be timid and nervous, and should -therefore be treated with consideration. Be careful to avoid overfeeding -it; in fact, for a short time let its feeding be slightly lowered, if in -high condition. The cat will quickly outgrow these fits. Many young toms -have one attack, and a she-cat never has a fit after having once -littered. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -_ON THE DISEASES OF CATS._ - -(_Continued._) - - -_Pneumonia, or Inflammation of the Lungs_, is not an uncommon malady in -the cat, and the tendency to pulmonary weakness appears to be transmitted -from generation to generation, and is certainly more generally met with in -cats of foreign origin, as Persian, etc., than in our own native kind. In -fact, all the felines are evidently much more liable to lung disease than -are the dogs. Nor are the larger forms exempt, for many a majestic lion, -or a beautiful leopard in our best-managed zoological collections, has -succumbed to this fatal distemper. Exposure to cold and damp, poor -feeding, etc., are generally the immediate causes of lung disease in the -feline, as in the human subject. The symptoms in pneumonia are a dull, -uneasy restlessness; the poor cat looks miserable, as doubtless it feels, -and mopes about in a very dejected manner. It is less disposed to lie than -it is to squat about. Pneumonia is usually accompanied by pleurisy, and if -this complaint is as distressingly painful as I have experienced it to be, -I am sure the cat must at times suffer the most acute pain. Inflammation -of the lungs, although so generally fatal, may nevertheless be overcome by -good nursing under favourable circumstances. It occurs more generally in -winter and spring--the most trying time, in our English climate, for both -man and beast. Keep the cat indoors, and in a room of comfortable -temperature, but not too warm, at, say, not much over 55° Fahr. A -troublesome cough distresses the poor cat frequently, and the laborious -breathing is manifest by the heaving of the flanks. In the treatment of -the disease, apply, in the first instance, a stimulating liniment composed -of equal parts of compound camphor liniment of the British Pharmacopoeia -and soap liniment. Rub it in upon the sides of the chest, and do not -spread about more than is necessary, as cats are made miserable by the fur -being soiled or tainted. The operation may be repeated the next day if -the liniment has not produced tenderness. Administer, internally, the -following mixture every four hours, in a dose of ten drops:--Syrup of -chloral, forty drops; syrup of squills, forty drops; ipecacuanha wine, ten -drops. - -As, probably, the cat will not eat, it will be well to keep up its -strength by administering beef tea or good milk at intervals. - -_Bronchitis_, or inflammation of the lining membrane of the bronchial -tube, arises from much the same causes that produce inflammation of the -lungs and pleura, and often accompanies these affections. Bronchitis may -be readily distinguished by the peculiar wheezing and rattling sound which -is made when the poor cat is coughing. It may be treated the same as -inflammation of the lungs, but the mixture to be given may contain twenty -instead of ten drops of ipecacuanha wine, and also, in addition, ten drops -of antimony wine; and fifteen drops may be given every four hours. - -_Mange_ is caused by a minute insect which burrows into the skin and there -multiplies. The sarcoptic mange is the most common form that attacks the -cat, and generally appears first upon the head and neck, and will, in -time, if not destroyed, spread over other parts of the unfortunate animal. -It is both humane and prudent, therefore, to check it at the outset. The -disease is, moreover, contagious, and if a mangy cat is allowed to wander -at large, it will communicate its trouble, to the ultimate distress of -its fellows, and the annoyance of their owners. Sarcoptic mange may be at -first detected by an irritating itching, but it soon breaks out into -painful sores, which are aggravated by the repeated efforts of the poor -cat to ease itself by rubbing and scratching. Fortunately, however, this -disease is not difficult to cure in the cat, and with but little trouble. -The principal agent employed, both externally and internally, should be -sulphur. On no account use the strong dressings that are prepared for the -skin diseases of animals of a different nature. An ointment composed of -flowers of sulphur and fresh lard, rubbed upon the spot with the finger, -is a very simple remedy, and I have proved it to be a very effectual one. -It is well, however, before applying this simple compound, to foment the -spot with tepid water, and dry it with a soft, clean rag. Apply the -flowers of sulphur and lard once or twice a day until it has taken effect. -As it is not in the least unpleasant to the taste, the cat is sure to -swallow more or less of it in dressing the fur, and more readily so if -within direct reach of the tongue. The sulphur swallowed acts upon the -system from within, most effectually poisoning the offending intruders in -course of time. Mr. Harold Leeney, M.R.C.V.S., remarks that "a proof of -this eccentric behaviour of sulphur may be found in the blackened watches -and silver coins carried in the pockets of persons taking the drug." In -the _Animal World_ for October, 1882, Mr. Leeney alludes to the -application of sulphur as follows:--"Sulphur in almost any form will -destroy the parasites, but used as an ointment, much difficulty is -experienced in washing it off again, and sulphur pure and simple being -insoluble, and more active remedies dangerous, there is nothing better -than a solution of sulphuretted potash, which should be applied warm, in -the proportion of half an ounce dissolved in a quart of water. In using -any skin dressing, whether for mange or fleas, or any other parasite, it -is always advisable to begin at the head, as the opposite course leaves -open a retreat to the ears and eyes, where the application is less likely -to reach the enemy. That fleas take refuge round the animal's ears when -in the water was, no doubt, early observed, and gave rise to the story, -current in sporting circles, that foxes rid themselves of fleas by -swimming with a piece of wool in their mouths, to which the insects betake -themselves for safety, and find out their mistake when it is too late. - -"The sulphuretted potash lotion need only remain on the cat an hour or -two, when it should be washed off with more tepid water, to which some -glycerine has been added, to about the proportion of one ounce to each -quart of water used. The animal should be carefully dried, giving special -attention to the face and ears." - -_Follicular Mange_, so named from its being caused by the presence of a -parasite distinguished as _Demodex folliculorum_, is of a different nature -to the sarcoptic mange, and is less readily expelled. - -"Unlike sarcoptic mange, which oftenest affects the hairless parts of the -body, the follicular mange is found upon the back from the neck, down the -course of the spine, to the tail. I think the reason of the selection on -the part of the demodex is that the hair follicles, or little bags from -which the hairs grow, and in which the parasite lives, are much larger, -and afford better accommodation. The first symptom of anger in a dog or -cat is usually the elevation of these hairs, showing them to be stronger, -and consequently having a larger base, than at other parts of the body. - -"The unfortunate cat affected with this malady soon begins to arch her -back and rub it against the staves of the chairs or the under part of a -low couch or other convenient furniture; then the hairs are observed to be -broken, and their condition attributed to this habit of rubbing, so that -the real cause is often not suspected till great mischief is done and the -parasites thoroughly established, the back becoming sore all the way down, -and the animal rapidly losing condition. - -"_Treatment._--Since the cause is parasitic, destruction of the offenders -is the object to be attained, and the best method is by laying bare their -stronghold, by removing the scurf, etc., with soft soap, before applying -any remedy. The reason for using soft soap is that the potash it contains -causes the outer cuticle to swell up and become detached, and thereby -permits the remedies to come in close contact with the insects, who are -tenacious of life, like most low forms of animal life. Having thoroughly -washed the sore skin, apply gently, but with a good deal of persistence, a -lotion composed of one part of oil of tar to four parts of olive oil, -taking care to cover the infected area, but not using any more than is -necessary, as it is most easy to excite nausea in the cat, but not easy to -allay it. This should be repeated alternate days, washing it off in the -intervals with plain curd soap, until the skin begins to look dry and -scaly, and loses its redness. The administration of small doses of sulphur -(milk of sulphur, two to three grains) daily will facilitate the cure, -because it is found to make its way through the skin from within, -rendering the cat a less desirable host." - -_Eczema_ (from the Greek, _ekzeo_, I boil out) is another form of skin -disease to which the cat is sometimes subject, and is the effect of an -unhealthy condition of the blood. Unlike mange, eczema is not caused by -the intrusion of an insect parasite. The disease, being of quite a -different nature, requires treatment of another character altogether. -Again I use Mr. Leeney's words:-- - -"Those parts of the skin which have upon them the least hair, as the -belly and thighs, and under the elbows, are the most frequently attacked. -It commences with a simple reddening of the skin, and a few days -afterwards little watery bladders or vesicles are observed. These -breaking, and their contents drying upon the skin, form an offensive, -unctuous matter, which becomes mixed with dirt and the _débris_ of broken -hair, etc., and reacts upon the already inflamed skin. It is caused by an -arid condition of the blood, or perhaps it would be more correct to say an -insufficiently alkaline condition of it, since in health that fluid should -have an alkaline reaction. Whatever doubt may be cast upon this theory as -to the origin of the malady, there is no doubt but that alkaline -bicarbonates produce a speedy cure, and the recovery is much facilitated -by soothing applications to the abraded parts. - -"I would advise as a mixture, bicarbonate of potash, two grains; water, -thirty drops; mix for one draught; to be taken twice a day. If the nurse -cannot give the medicine as a fluid, the same quantity of potash may be -mixed with a little butter or honey, and smeared upon the cat's toes or -shoulders, for she will soon lick it off there. Many cats will not detect -it dissolved in a saucer of milk, as it has only the slightest saline -taste. If neither of these methods is successful, two grains of exsiccated -carbonate of soda may be made into a tiny pill and given in a piece of -fish. - -"The skin should be well fomented with warm water and a sponge, with a -little curd soap and glycerine added to the water. After carefully drying -with a piece of lint or old, soft calico, an ointment of zinc (benzoated -zinc ointment of the British Pharmacopoeia) should be carefully applied -for several minutes, careful manipulation being of more service than a -large amount of ointment. We have spoken of the condition of the blood -which gives rise to eczema, and of remedies likely to cure it; but -prevention is, of course, better still. - -"I have been able to trace the disease in some cats to access to a -neighbouring fishmonger's dust-hole, where offal has been thrown and -allowed to decompose; in others it is traceable to milk. It is difficult -enough to keep dogs from eating filth in the streets after refusing good -food at home; but who shall restrain the cat? The removal of the offending -material, rather than any additional restraint upon pussy, will be, if -permissible, the best remedy. - -"I have known many cats quite cured without any other remedy than an -abundant supply of horse-flesh, as retailed by the cats'-meat men. - -"While the subject of food is under consideration, I may mention that a -very unfounded prejudice exists against horse-flesh; and while our French -neighbours are making it an article of human food, we retain our insular -prejudices to such an extent that many people do not even like their dogs -and cats to eat it. As a general rule, horses are slaughtered because lame -or incapable, and their flesh is in a healthy state, and affords good, -sound muscular fibre, while those who die generally do so from acute -diseases, as colic, inflammation of the lungs, hernia, etc., etc., the -flesh or muscular parts being in no way injured or rendered deleterious. A -noticeable example of flesh-fed cats is to be seen in the many large and -handsome cats at the Royal Veterinary College, who feed themselves on the -donkeys and horses in the dissecting-room." - -Before concluding this chapter I may suggest that, with fair attention, a -good cat may be expected to live out a fair term of years, and perhaps -without any special ailment. Certainly the causes of disease and death are -not a few, sometimes obscure, or of a complicated character; yet the cat -is not singular in its liability to pain and death, for such is the -portion which falls to all creatures, man not excepted. But when we -consider that the cat is a rather fast-breeding animal, and has fewer -natural enemies than many other creatures--the rodents, for example--it is -evident that the feline race, both in its wild and domesticated state, -must be subject to such a constant check upon its undue increase as is -justly required to maintain the right balance in creation. Few cats live -to old age, which may be estimated at fourteen years. I have heard, -however, of two cases at least in which the extraordinary age of -twenty-two years has been attained. But what a vast proportion are not -permitted to survive as many hours! The irrefutable assertion in the Book -of Ecclesiastes, that there is "a time to be born, and a time to die," -having reference to the limited duration of human life, may with equal -truth and propriety be considered respecting the whole animal creation. -Death is one of the essential laws in nature. Disease and violence may be -regarded as but instruments of destruction in the hand of the Almighty. No -thoughtful student of nature can fail, however, to be deeply impressed by -the evidence that the great God that made all things is not only infinite -in power and wisdom, but a God of love. To use the words of Isaac Walton: -"The study of the works of nature is the most effectual way to open and -excite in us the affections of reverence and gratitude towards that Being -whose wisdom and goodness are discernible in the structure of the meanest -reptile." - -_Worms._--It may be difficult, however, to comprehend, or to regard -without disgust, such loathsome forms of life as are the different worms, -in some form peculiar to, perhaps, every species of mammal, bird, or fish. - -As Mr. Leeney observes:--"Cats are subject to wandering parasites, which -pierce the tissues and cause much pain and illness in seeking 'fresh -fields and pastures new.' Pussy is not exempt from the _Trichina -spiralis_, which, as my readers are probably aware, is the cause in man, -in swine, and other animals, of the dreadful malady known as trichinosis. - -"It is during the wandering of these minute worms that the fever and pain -is produced in the subject, be he human or any other animal. - -"That cats should be more liable to this parasite than man is readily -understood when we take into account the liking they have for raw meat, -while cooking generally obviates the danger from man. The prevalence of -trichina, and the disease produced by it, in Germany, is to be accounted -for by the custom of eating uncooked ham and other things. I have myself -eaten this 'schinken' in Germany. I am afraid if trichinosis could be -detected in a cat no remedy could be suggested; but in speaking of worms, -it ought to be taken into consideration, and may, perhaps, account for -some of the obscure causes of death in our domestic pet. - -"There are, again, worms whose habitat is the blood-vessels, and whose -choice for a nest is the junction or branch of some artery--a favourite -one being that vessel which is given off from the great trunk (_posterior -aorta_) to the liver (_hepatic_). The presence of such a nest occludes the -vessel, and produces changes in the structure of its coat, which, -together with the diminished calibre of the vessel, seriously affects the -liver, by depriving it in a great measure of its nourishment, its -substance, like all other parts of the body, depending for its maintenance -and repair on the constant circulation of fresh blood, charged with -material for supplying the daily waste. - -"The ducts or passages from the liver through which the bile should pass -are the favourite haunt of another kind of parasite--the fluke; here 'they -do most breed and haunt,' producing dropsy, a condition well known in -sheep, and called the 'rot.' - -"These, like the strongylus occasionally found in the kidneys, are most -fatal to their bearers, and unfortunately beyond the reach of remedies. - -"A great many remedies have been suggested for sheep suffering from their -presence, but the chief difficulty consists in the fact that any remedy, -in order to affect the parasite, must enter first into the circulation of -the bearer, and the turpentine which would kill the fluke would first kill -the cat; and again, the salt, which ruminants enjoy, could not be given to -the cat, because vomition is so easily excited, and so much would be -required. - -"Fortunately for cats and dogs, the kind of worms to which they are most -subject are generally situated in the stomach and bowels, and are to be -dislodged without much difficulty. It may be taken as a general rule that -round worms can be expelled by santonin, and flat worms by areca-nut; but -some care should be exercised in the administration of these drugs. - -"If a cat is found to be very thin, and her coat is stiff and harsh, -accompanied with vomiting of round worms, or they are observed in the -excrement, a pill should be made of half a grain of santonin, and ten -grains of extract of gentian, and two or three grains of saccharated -carbonate of iron, and given fasting, at intervals of two or three days. -The best way of giving a pill to a cat is to stick it on the end of a -penholder, and, having opened her mouth, push it back on the tongue -without any fear of its going the wrong way, and withdraw the penholder -suddenly. The pill will almost certainly be swallowed, as the rough, -papillæ on the cat's tongue will have prevented the pill being withdrawn -with the holder, and it should have been placed too far back for the -patient to do anything with it but swallow it. - -"If tape-worm has been observed, from one to three grains of areca-nut -(freshly grated) should be given in the form of a pill, mixed with five -grains of extract of gentian, and two grains of extract of hyoscyamus. -Areca-nut will probably produce the desired effect given alone, but it too -often produces acute colic, and even fits, if not mixed with some -sedative." - -There is a worm peculiar to the feline race only, and known as _Ascaris -mystax_, or the moustached worm, so called from the four projections at -the head. This worm more generally infests the intestines, but often -lodges in the stomach, and grows to a considerable length, and is then -usually vomited up, to the relief of the poor cat. - -"The presence of this or other guests within the stomach is often a cause -of gastric derangement, and the cat will be at times voracious, and at -others 'very dainty,' no doubt feeling faint and nauseated by the -irritating presence of the worms, and desperately hungry sometimes from -being robbed of its nourishment; for it must be remembered that worms do -not simply eat the food as it reaches the stomach from time to time, but -they live on the all but completely digested food, or chyle, which is -just ready to enter the circulation, and contains all the most nutritive -part of the food in a condition fit for building up the animal structures, -and replacing the waste which is always taking place. It is only by the -consideration of this fact that we can understand how a few small worms -can so rapidly cause the bearer to waste away." - -And now, in concluding, may I suggest that there is "a time to kill, and a -time to heal," and that when a favourite cat is really ill, in pain, or -has met with a serious accident, it is often both wise and merciful to -drown or shoot the poor animal effectually, and without delay. Drowning, -as I have before observed, is, perhaps, the simplest and the least painful -of the ordinary methods of destruction. Shooting must be resorted to with -care and forethought, and no possibility allowed of the cat escaping but -only wounded. Poison is at all times to be avoided. - - - - -FELINE INSTINCT. - - -I. - -Mitis and Riquet are two tom-cats saved from a litter of five; their -mother is an Angora, slate-coloured, with the neck, breast, and tips of -the paws white. Mitis has a large head and limbs, and a coat which -promises to be Angora and the same colour as his mother's, a white muzzle, -and white underneath his eyes, while his lips and the tip of his nose are -bright pink. Riquet's body and tail are black, with grey marks; his head, -which is smaller than his brother's, is grey, with zebra-like bands of -black crossing longitudinally and laterally; two white streaks branch out -from the upper end of the nose, and on the forehead two curved lines, -starting from the corners of his eyes, surround a disc of black and grey. - -No sooner has their mother licked them over than they set off whining and -seeking for her teats. I made some observations of their movements on the -first and second days; but as I am afraid of not recording them with -sufficient accuracy from memory, I will begin with the third day, when I -took to writing down my observations. - -_12th May._--They are perpetually moving about, even when sucking and -sleeping. Sleep overtakes them in the act of sucking, and then, according -to what position they were in at the moment, they either remain ensconced -in their mother's silky breast, or fall over with open mouths into some -graceful attitude. The little gluttons, Riquet especially, who seems to be -delicately organised, are often troubled with hiccoughs, reminding one of -young children who have sucked too copiously. It is curious to watch them -when searching for a teat, turning their heads abruptly from right to -left, and left to right, pushing now with their foreheads, now with their -muzzles; tumbling and jumping one over the other, sliding between their -mother's legs, trying to suck no matter what part of her body; and -finally, when they have settled down to their meal, resembling leeches, -whose whole activity is concentrated on the work of suction, and who, as -soon as they have thoroughly gorged themselves, let go their hold and fall -back into _inertia_. - -Whenever their sensibility is unpleasantly excited, as, for instance, if -their mother leans on them too heavily, or leaves them alone, or performs -their toilet too roughly, they give vent to monotonous--I had almost said -monosyllabic--plaints; sounds which can scarcely be called _mias_, still -less _miaows_; they are best described as trembling _mi-i-is_. They also -emit these plaintive sounds when they have been searching long for a teat -without finding one, or if they annoy each other during the laborious -search; or if I take them up too quickly, or turn them over in the palm of -my hand to examine them. If I set them up in my hand in a standing -position, they will remain motionless for a few seconds, as if enjoying -the warmth of my hand; but very soon again they begin clamouring with loud -whines for their home in the mother's warm, soft stomach, which is at once -their shelter and their dining-room, the familiar, and perhaps the loved, -theatre of their nascent activity. - -_13th May._--This morning Mitis appeared to be ill. He was languid, did -not whine when I took him up, and made no attempt at sucking; he had an -attack of hiccoughs, accompanied by shiverings all over his body, which -made me anxious. It only lasted an hour, however: there may have been some -temporary cause of indisposition; or perhaps excessive sucking, or a very -great need of sleep, had reduced him to a semi-inert mass. - -Riquet's head is prettier than it was yesterday; the white spot has -increased in size, the grey marks have spread and grown lighter, and the -head and neck are rather larger; but Mitis has still by far the finest -carriage. - -_Twelve o'clock._--The two leeches have been operating for twenty minutes -without desisting. They are now brimful of milk, and settling themselves -down, no matter where--one on the mother's stomach, the other on her paws; -no sooner have they placed themselves than they fall asleep. - -_Two o'clock._--They have no fixed position for sucking; any does that -comes first. - -When the mother leaves them alone for a moment they turn in rapid -gyrations round and round, over and under each other, delighting in the -mutual contact of their bodies and the warmth which it engenders. If the -mother remains absent for some minutes, they end by falling asleep one -over the other in the shape of a cross. If I lift up the top one, the -other soon begins to whine: they are not accustomed to solitude, and it -produces a painful impression of cold. Very young animals are easily -chilled, and sometimes die of cold in a temperature which is not very low. -This is owing to the smallness of their bodies and the feebleness of their -respiratory organs. - -Between four and five o'clock Riquet seemed to me very lively. He was -searching for a teat which he could not find, and for ten minutes he -crossed backwards and forwards over his brother's body, giving him -frequent slaps with his paws. - -Riquet's nose is a pink-brown, but tending to red-brown. - -This evening (ten o'clock) I showed the mother a saucer full of milk; she -left her kittens to go and drink it, and afterwards she took a turn at a -plate of porridge; her absence lasted barely five minutes. The kittens, -during this time, went through their usual manoeuvres: Riquet turned three -times running round his brother; the latter, who is more indolent, or -perhaps has more need of sleep, stretched himself out full length on his -side. Riquet, however, cannot rest till he has found what he is searching -for--viz., the body of his mother. He is still in a state of agitation -when the cat comes back, raises herself with her front-paws on the edge of -the box, and drops quietly down by the side of her little ones without -touching them. Instantly they start up, raising their little waggling -heads; they know that their mother is there--the slight noise she made in -getting into the box, and the movement she imparted to it, are associated -in their memory with the idea of her presence. - -The mother's first care is to see to their toilet, and she proceeds to -turn them over with two or three strokes of her tongue, and then operates -on them with the same natural instrument. Both have their turn; and at the -end of the operation, which seems to worry them, they whine considerably, -though not at all loud. A few minutes after, the melodious snoring of the -mother informs me that the whole family is at rest. I take a peep at them: -the mother is laid on her left side, describing a large and elegant curve; -Mitis, half on his hind-paws, half on his stomach, is stretched across -Riquet, and both are sleeping, or sucking--perhaps doing both at the same -time. - -_14th May._--My kittens seem to grow as I watch them, especially Mitis' -head, neck, and back; he is a massive heavy kitten, but his forehead is -broad and high: he will probably be an intelligent cat; his leonine chin, -large and well developed, indicates energy and goodness. He begins to show -more vivacity than during the earlier days; when he encounters his brother -in searching for a teat, or if the latter disputes with him the one he has -got hold of, he deals out at him rapid strokes with his paw, which remind -one of a dog swimming. His mother has just been performing his toilet in -the manner aforesaid, and has no doubt kept him longer at it than he -liked; he shows his displeasure by striking out his hind paws, one of -which knocks against his ear, and uttering two or three impatient _mis_. - -These very occasional and but slightly emphasised cries are the only ones -which Riquet--even the brisk and lively Riquet--gives out, even when I -take him in my hand. I have seen other cats that were more unhappy -complain more: one, for instance, which was the only one I had kept out of -a litter, and which died at ten days old, just as it was beginning to open -its eyes; in her grief at having lost all her other kittens, the mother -used to carry this one about from place to place, and even leave it alone -for hours at a time; I believe it died from bad treatment and insufficient -feeding; the poor little thing frequently uttered loud moanings. I cannot -feel the slightest doubt as to the causes of its death when I see the -mother so happy with the two that I have left her this time; she has not -once called or searched for the other three which I drowned. Does this -proceed from a want of arithmetical aptitude? _Two_, for her, are _many_ -as well as _five_. However this may be, she is very happy, very _repue_, -very attentive, and her little ones are habituated to comfort, ease, -satisfied desires, and tranquil sleep and digestion. If they do not know -how to complain I think it is because they have had no reason to learn to -do so. - -The colour of Riquet's hair is changing sensibly: the grey-white now -preponderates on his face. The velvety black of his neck, back, and sides -is silvered with whitish tints, which have spread since the morning. - -Often when they are alone, or even if their mother is with them, they will -mistake no matter what part of their bodies for teats and begin to suck -it, as a child of six months will suck its finger or even the tip of its -foot. - -_15th May._--To-day I held Riquet on my hand for three minutes. I was -smoking a cigar; the little creature stretched out its neck, poked its -nose up in the air, and sniffed with a persistent little noise. A sparrow, -whose cage was hung up over us, frightened at my smoking-cap, began to fly -round the cage and beat at it with its wings. At the sound of this noise -Riquet was seized with a sudden fit of trembling, which made him squat -down precipitately in my hand. Movements of this kind are reflex ones, the -production of which is associated in the organism with certain auditory -impressions; but the animal is necessarily more or less conscious of them, -or will soon be so. From five minutes' observation I have thus learnt that -Riquet is sensible to strong smells, and that he already goes through the -consecutive movements of sentiment and fear. - -Riquet's head is visibly changing to silver-grey; the marks on his back -are also assuming this shade. - -I took Mitis in my hands, stretched them out and drew them up again. He -does not seem to know quite what to make of it; he attempts a few steps, -feels about uncertainly with his head, and comes in contact with my coat -smelling of the cigar; he appears to be scenting my coat, but not with so -much noise and vivacity as Riquet does. He waggles his head about, feels -about with his paws, and tries to suck my coat and my hands; he is -evidently out of his element and unhappy. The mother calls to him from the -bottom of the box; this causes him to turn his head quickly in the -direction from which the sound comes (what a number of movements or ideas -associated in the intelligence and organism of a little animal four days -old!); he starts off again, making a step forward, then drawing back, -turning to the right and to the left, with a waddling movement. I give him -back to his mother. - -I thought I noticed once again this evening that the light of my lamp, -when held near the kittens' box, caused rather lively excitation of their -eyelids, although these were closed. The light must pass through these -thin coverings and startle the retinas. The kittens were agitated during -a few seconds; they raised and shook their heads, then lowered them and -hid them in the maternal bosom. - -The noise of carriages, the sound of my voice, the twittering of the -sparrow, the movements imparted to the box by my hand--all throw them into -the same kind of agitation. These movements may be coupled with the -movements, unconscious no doubt, but determined by external causes, which -are observed in the young. - -_16th May._--Mitis' tail is thickening at the root; the hair of its head -and neck is close and silky; he will no doubt turn out a considerable -fraction of an Angora. - -When I place the kittens on the palm of my hand they inhale strongly and -with a certain amount of persistence; this is because their sense of smell -operates no doubt with tolerable completeness, in view of the species, and -in the absence of visual perception, and by reason of the imperfect -operation of their touch. - -This evening Mitis, having escaped from the constraint in which his mother -holds him to perform his toilet, half _plantigrade_ half _gastéropode_, -dragged himself slowly, though as fast as he was able, along his mother's -paws, and at last nestled down in the soft fur of her stomach. While in -this position his head, rolling like that of a drunken man, knocked -against the head of Riquet, who was in the act of sucking. Instantly Mitis -lifts a paw and brings it down on his brother's head. The latter holds on, -as he is very comfortably spread out on the bottom of the box, and is -sucking a teat placed low down. A second attempt of Mitis' fails equally. -He then performs rapid movements with his head, searching vigorously for -his cup, but not finding it. The mother then places a paw on his back, and -his centre of gravity being thus better established, he at last -accomplishes his object. Here we have several actions which are no doubt -in some degree conscious, but which come chiefly under the head of -automatism: the scent which helps in the search for the teat, the instinct -to dispute the ground with another who is discovered to be sucking, the -movements of intentional repulsion, of struggle, of combativeness. What an -admirable machine for sensation, sentiment, volition, activity, and -consciousness, is a young animal only just born! - -_17th May._--I have observed--or think I have observed--in Mitis, the more -indolent of the two brothers, the first symptoms of playfulness: lying on -his back with his mouth half open, he twiddles his four paws with an air -of satisfaction, and as if seeking to touch some one or something. It is -eight o'clock in the evening, the window is open, the sparrow is singing -with all its might in its cage, we are talking and laughing close to the -cat's box. Do all these noises in some way excite the sensoriums of the -two _repus_ kittens? The fact is, that they have been in a state of -agitation for more than a quarter of an hour, travelling one over the -other and walking over their mother's stomach, paws, and head. Mitis, the -heavier of the two and soonest tired out, was the first to return to the -teat. Riquet's return to the maternal breast has been a long and -roundabout journey from one corner of the box to the other, and round and -round his mother. - -At nine o'clock I went to look at them with the light. This threw them -into dreadful consternation. I observe in them both something like -intentions to bite, while rolling each other over, they keep their mouths -open, and snap instead of sucking when they come in contact with any part -of each other's bodies; but it is all mechanical. Here we have an increase -of activity produced by an accession of powers and temporary -over-excitement. - -_18th May._--They are lying asleep on their sides, facing each other, with -their fore-paws half stretched out against the hind ones. Riquet's sleep -is much disturbed; his mouth touches one of his brother's paws, which he -instantly begins to suck. Is this a mechanical or unconscious action? Is -he not possibly dreaming? After four or five attempts at sucking he lets -go the paw, and sleeps on tranquilly for four minutes; but the noise of a -carriage passing in the street, and perhaps the consequent vibration of -the floor and the bottom of the box, cause violent trembling in his lips, -paws, and tail. - -The mother gets back in the box; and the kittens, instantly awake and -erect, utter three or four _mis_ to welcome the joyful return. - -In settling herself down the mother leans rather heavily on Riquet; the -latter, who used formerly to extricate himself mechanically, and who -already knows from experience the inconvenience of such a position, moves -off brusquely, goes further away than he would have done formerly, and -Mitis, on the lookout for a teat, hears close to him the noise of his -brother's sucking. He pommels his head with his hind-paws, rolls up -against him, striking out with his fore-paws, and knocks him over with the -weight of his body; he is now in possession of the teat which his brother -had first tried, and, finding it as good as the one he was sucking before, -he sticks to it. - -_18th May._--Mitis was trying to worry Riquet who was busy sucking. I hold -out my hand to make a barrier between the two; Mitis pushes it back with -his paw, but soon perceives the difference between the two bodies which he -is pushing against, gives over his excitement, and looks out for another -teat. No doubt in this case there was no comparative perception of -difference, but different sensations producing different muscular actions; -that is all, I imagine, but this is nevertheless the germ of veritable -comparison. - -_19th May._--Both the eyes of both kittens are about to open; the eyelids -seem slightly slit, and are covered with an oozy film. At the external -corner of Mitis' right eye there is a little round opening disclosing a -pale blue speck of eyeball, the size of a pin's head. At the internal -commissure of the left eye there is also a round opening, but much -smaller, and showing no eye-ball through it. Riquet's right eye is also -opening slightly; the edges of the left eyelids are stopped up by a -yellowish discharge. - -I fancied that Mitis was playing in the box; I tumbled him over on his -back, tickled his stomach, and stroked his head; he struck out his paws -without attempting to pick himself up; this was evidently a more or less -conscious attempt at play. His mother came to lick him in this attitude, -and he performed with his fore-paws as previously. Riquet, too, shows a -tendency to play, but not of such a pronounced nature. - -_21st May._--Riquet's left eye is beginning to open at the inside corner. - -I took them both up on my hand, and waved my fingers in front of their -partially opened eyes; but I did not observe any movement from which I -could infer the power of distinguishing objects. - -Mitis, placed close to his mother's head, nibbles at it and plays with his -paws on her nose; the mother does not approve of this amusement; she lays -a paw on her son's neck and teaches him respect; soon he escapes from her -grasp, and begins searching for a teat. - -Some streaks of fawn-colour have mixed with the zebra-like black and grey -on Riquet's neck: he is now quadri-coloured. - -Mitis is seated on my hand. I kiss him on the head, three times running, -making a slight noise with my lips; he shakes his head twice. This is an -habitual movement of the mother cat when one kisses her or strokes her -head and it displeases, or if she is occupied with something else. - -When I pass my hand in front of their heads, at about four _centimètres'_ -distance, they make a movement with the head and wink their eyes; I am not -sure whether this means that they see, though their eyes have been more -or less open since yesterday evening. - -They have not yet begun to purr. - -_22nd May._--I went up to the box towards twelve o'clock. Riquet's left -eye, the light blue colour of which I can see, seems to perceive me, but -it must be very indistinctly. I wave my hand at ten _centimètres_ from his -eyes, and it is only the noise I make and the disturbance of the air that -cause him to make any movement. - -Both Mitis' eyes are almost entirely open; I hold my finger near his nose -without touching it, I wave it from right to left and left to right, and I -fancy I perceive in the eyes--in the eyes more than in the head--a slight -tendency to move in the direction of my movements. - -_23rd May_, 7 P.M.--Their movements are less trembling, quicker, and -fierce not only because of increased strength and exercise, but because -intention, directed by eyesight, is beginning to operate. - -The more I observe young animals, the more it seems to me that the -external circumstances of their development--alimentation, exercise (more -or less stimulated and controlled), ventilation, light, attention to their -health and their _affective_ sensibilities, care in breeding and -training,--are perhaps only secondary factors in their development. -Actual sensations, it seems to me, serve only to bring to the service one -set of virtualities rather than another; a sentient, intelligent, active -being is a tangled skein of innumerable threads, some of which, and not -others, will be drawn out by the events of life. This it is that marks out -the precise work, limits the power, but at the same time encourages all -the pretensions of educators. If all is not present in all, as Jacolot -asserted, who can say what is and what is not present in a young animal or -a young child? - -I placed Mitis on a foot-warmer, the contact with which produced two or -three nervous tremblings, somewhat similar to slight shiverings; he seemed -pleased, however, and stretched himself out on the warm surface, with his -eyes half-closed, as if going to sleep. Afterwards I placed Riquet there; -he went through the same trembling movements, but then proceeded with an -inspection with his muzzle--scenting or feeling, I do not know which, the -article on which he had been deposited. He then gently stretched out a paw -and laid himself down flat, the contact with the warm surface inducing -sleep, by reason of the familiar associations between the like sensation -of warmth experienced on his mother's breast and the instinctive need of -sleep. - -When they trot about in their box, some of their movements appear to be -directed by sight. - -Their ears have lengthened perceptibly during the last two days, and so -have their tails. - -When any one walks about the room, if they are not asleep or sucking, they -begin frisking about immediately. - -The mother, whom I sent to take a little exercise in the courtyard, has -been absent for half an hour. Mitis is asleep; Riquet, lying with his head -on his brother's neck, was awakened by the sound of my footsteps, all the -more easily roused no doubt because he was hungry, and because his mother -had been absent so long. I stroke his head with my finger, and he puts on -a smiling look. I make a little noise with my lips to rouse the sparrow, -and this noise pleases Riquet, who listens with the same smiling -countenance. - -They now attempt to climb higher; they do not knock their noses so -frequently against the partitions of the box, they certainly direct their -paws at certain points determined by their vision; eyes, noses, and paws -now operate in concert on the teats or any other objects that come across -their way; for they do not go much in search of objects as yet. Their -field of vision does not stretch very far; what they see is matter of -chance and accident rather than of real intention. If I wish to attract -their attention by waving my hand, I must not hold it further than fifteen -_centimètres_ from their eyes. I must go very close to them before they -appear to distinguish my person. I am not sure that they see the whole of -it; I rather think that only certain portions are visible to -them,--amongst others my nose, because it stands out in relief, and my -eyes, because they reflect the light vividly. - -_24th May_, 9 P.M.--The orbits of their eyes seem to me rather more -expanded than this morning, possibly because the light makes their pupils -contract. I placed a candle on a chair by the side of their box; the light -evidently annoyed them, but it stimulated them to exercise their limbs. -Mitis, after having promenaded and struggled about in a corner of the box, -and grown accustomed to the lively sensations on his retina, directs his -steps towards the most brightly-lighted point of the box. A band of light -falls full on the upper part of the partition on the side facing me. -Mitis, and Riquet after him,--more from imitation than personal -excitement,--tries to climb up this luminous board; he does not succeed, -but the attraction continues undiminished. I thought involuntarily of the -plants which struggle up walls to reach the light. - -Mitis, still somewhat disconcerted--though much less so than at -first--when he looks directly at light, retires into a corner, and tired, -no doubt, with the exercise he has just been taking, places himself, or -rather falls back, on his mother's tail. I take him up gently, and set him -in front of his mother's stomach, and by the side of Riquet, who had just -finished his gambols also, and was sucking. Then began a scuffle, the -front paws working away perceptibly like the _battoirs_ of a washerwoman. -I come to the rescue, placing my hand between them, and this calms them -down; they favour me, however, with a few ridiculous little taps. Mitis, -meanwhile, has taken possession of the contested teat, and celebrates his -victory by the first _purr_ that to my knowledge he has produced. - -Riquet is now in a great state of agitation; he is lying in the dark, -behind his mother's back, and close to the side of the box facing me. I -hold my finger to him; he lifts himself up and leans his head slowly -forward to touch or scent my finger. He can now distinguish people, but -more by touch, scent, or hearing than by sight, the latter sense being -very imperfectly developed and little exercised. When I make a slight -noise with my lips the little creature starts and jumps about, but does -not lift up his eyes to my face, which he has seen close to him, has -looked at with attention, but which he is very imperfectly acquainted -with, and does not accurately localise with respect to my hand and my -body. - -Riquet is close to his mother's head. He has stretched a paw over her -neck, and is looking at some part or other of her head, I don't know -which, while playing gently with his little paw. Here we see an -intelligent development of affection; he now loves his mother in a more -conscious way; his visual and tactile perceptions are becoming -co-ordinated, are amplifying his knowledge, and giving strength and -precision to his sentiments. - -I stretch out my finger to Mitis, who is still lying on the spot where I -found him at first. In return, either from curiosity, or from instinctive -impulse and movement, he holds out his little paw, which seems to enjoy -the grasp of my finger, and sticks to it. - -_25th May._--I place my kittens, one after the other, in the hollow of my -hand. Mitis squealed when I lifted him out of the box, and during the -three minutes that I kept them in my hand they both seemed almost -indifferent. The instant, however, that I put them back in the box they -seemed quite delighted to get back again, or else they were stimulated to -play by the various sensations--muscular, visual, tactile, and -thermal--which I had occasioned them. Standing and walking about on my -hand had stimulated Mitis to an extraordinary display of strength. In his -desire for prolonged exercise, and no doubt also wishing to renew the -vivid sensations of light he had just experienced, he set to work to climb -up the perpendicular wall of his dwelling, making all the time a great -noise of scratching. All movement produces sensations; and all sensations -produce movements. - -_26th May._--They both play with their paws and their muzzles, but -frequently, as if by chance, only without very marked intention, and with -very uncertain movements. - -I seem already to distinguish in them two different characters. If one can -go by appearances, Mitis will be gentle, patient, rather indolent and -lazy, prudent and good-natured; Riquet, on the contrary, lively, petulant, -irritable, playful, and audacious. Noise and contact seem to excite him -more than his brother. But both of them are very affectionate towards -their mother, or perhaps I should say very appreciative of the pleasure of -being with her, of seeing, hearing, and touching her, and not only of -sucking from her. - -I hold Mitis up to the edge of the box; he evinces a desire to get back to -his mother, but does not know how to manage it. His muscles have not yet -acquired the habit of responding to this particular psycho-motive -stimulus; he crawls up to where my hand ends, advances first one paw, then -another, and finds only empty space; he then stretches out his neck, and -two or three times running makes an attempt with his paws at the movements -which are the precursors of the act of jumping. He would like to jump -down, but cannot do so; instinctive intention is here in advance of the -adaptiveness or the strength of the muscular apparatus fitted to execute -it. He retreats frightened and discouraged, and whines for help. - -Riquet placed in the same position, goes through almost the same -movements, but he is able to do more; he has managed to seize hold (chance -perhaps assisting him) of the edge of the box, he sticks to it, leans over -without letting go, and would have got down, or rather tumbled down, into -the box, if I had let him. - -_27th May._ Every day they get to know me better. Now, after I have taken -them in my hands, or stroked their head, neck, or lips, they go back to -their box quite excited; they walk about in it faster than before, snap at -each other and strike out their paws with much more spirit. Play has now -become a matter of experience with them, and grows day by day a little -more complicated; they seem to be aware of their growth in strength and -skill, and to derive pleasure from it. To-day, for the first time, Riquet -scratched the piece of stuff on the bottom of the box, and he did it with -playful gestures and an expression of delight; first he stretched out one -paw, then the other, with his claws turned out, and, being pleased with -the noise produced by drawing back his claws, he renewed the operation -twice, but no more. It will be necessary to go through the same experience -two or three times more, in order to fix the idea of this game in his -little head. - -They have already tried several times running (either by accident or with -a vague idea of ascending) to hold on to, or climb up, the sides of the -box; if they were not slippery, or were covered with a cloth, I think they -would have strength enough to lift themselves up to the edge. - -They lift their head and paws as high as they can, in order to see better. -All the inside of the box seems to be sufficiently well known to them, but -all the same they are constantly making experiments in it, either by -touch, sight, hearing, scent, and even taste; for they frequently lick the -board, and try to suck the cloth at the bottom. They would no doubt gladly -extend the area of their experiences, but I shall leave them habitually -in the box until they are able to get out of it by themselves; they can -get quite enough exercise in it, and they have enough air and light, and I -think the prolongation of this calm, happy, retired existence makes them -more gentle. The mother prefers their being in the box, and I am of the -same opinion, though not perhaps for the same reasons. They would become -too independent if allowed to follow their caprices, and exposed to the -dangers of adventure, instead of being accustomed to the restraint of the -hand which they love and which _humanises_[4] them. I want them to become -so thoroughly accustomed to my hand, that, when they receive their -freedom, they will still recognise it from a distance, and come to it at -my will. My hand is a very precious instrument of preservation and -education for them. - -_28th May._ When, standing close to the box, I take Mitis in my hands, he -looks at the box, bends his head, stretches out his paws, and shows a -considerable desire to get down, but without making any effort towards -this end. I hold him a little lower down, at a few _centimètres_ from his -mother, and he no longer hesitates but lets himself glide down to her, -his movements, however, only turning out a success thanks to my -assistance. Can it be that he had (what Tiedemann does not even allow his -fourteen-months-old child to have possessed) a vague perception of -distance, of empty and inhabited space, anterior to personal experience? -"He had not yet any idea of the falling of bodies from a height, or of the -difference between empty and inhabited space. On the 14th October he still -wanted to precipitate himself from heights, and several times he let his -biscuit fall to the ground when intending to dip it in his cup." - -The kittens endeavour to climb along the sides of the box, but their idea -of height (perhaps an instinctive idea) is not sufficiently determined; -they seem quite astounded at not reaching the goal with the first stroke. -At the same time I may be mistaken in my observations; perhaps they went -up these four or five _centimètres_ mechanically, because in walking along -horizontally they found under their paws the surface of the partition -which may have seemed a natural continuation of their road. Perhaps they -have no wish to get up to the edge of the box. - -_28th May._--The grey spots on Riquet's back are now almost as large as -the black ones. - -The eyes of both kittens are getting less and less blue; they are assuming -an indistinct colour, between dirty grey and light brown. Their -expression is frank and sympathetic; they seem to direct their looks -consciously and voluntarily. - -Riquet is looking at me with an expression of pleasure, seated upright, -with his paws lifted languidly. I hold my finger near him, and he extends -his left paw. I stroke the left side of his head, and he leans the part -which I caress on my finger, as a full-grown cat would do, and rubs -himself two or three times running against my finger. These are _invented_ -movements--I mean movements furnished all of a sudden by the stimulus of -hereditary virtualities, and which seem to astonish the young animal as -well as to please him; it is thus that we see automatic movements at one -moment coming under the control of consciousness, and the next escaping -from it, refined, simplified, adapted, and perfected. Life invents but few -new movements; but there are many, no doubt, ready to appear if the -influences of surroundings permitted it. - -_29th May._--They are learning more and more to exercise their muscles and -perfect their movements; they are daily acquiring fresh powers and -_adaptations_, and in their games with each other and their mother they -show intention and pleasure; they are learning more and more to -distinguish people; if any one presents a finger to them, they always -hold out their nose, or else a paw; this seems to have become a reflex -action with them. They also appear to localise certain sensations which -are in some sort artificial. I touch the tip of Mitis' left paw, (he has -been sucking for the last ten minutes); he stops sucking, and instantly -turns his head in the direction of his paw; but this is perhaps because he -has seen my hand, and the muscular sensation associated with this visual -sensation may have determined his movement alone and almost automatically. -I vary the experiment, however, and pass my finger two or three times -running across his neck; he raises his head and looks behind him, as if -understanding where I had touched him. However this may be, I should not -like to affirm in him the faculty of localising pleasure or pain, except -as a sort of automatic localisation of sensations, which would be the -result of certain anterior _adaptations_. - -The mother is engaged on the toilet of Mitis, who neither looks pleased -nor displeased; he makes a sound which is neither a cry of pain, nor the -whining of complaint or anger; if he is giving expression to a mental -condition well defined to himself, I cannot guess at it. It is a tremulous -noise which might be represented by the following letters: _mrrrimr_.... - -_2nd June._--Riquet's ears grow more than those of Mitis. The hair of the -latter has ceased to grow, and his tail is scarcely more bushy than his -brother's. He will not be more of an Angora than Riquet, in spite of the -long silky hair, which during the first days grew so abundantly on his -neck, stomach, and thighs. - -Riquet has become more patient, and Mitis more lively during the last few -days. It would be very presumptuous to pretend to found precise inductions -as to the future on observations taken during the first days; hypothesis -itself must maintain the most scrupulous reserve, especially as regards -predictions concerning intelligence and character. A cat which appears -very intelligent at the age of one or two months, often shows very -mediocre intelligence when a year or two old, and _vice versâ_. As to the -colour and nature of the hair, six weeks must have elapsed before one can -give any certain opinion as to the real shade that it will be, and as to -its flexibility, abundance, brilliancy, and waviness. As for the ears I -have often erred in my predictions ... which are scarcely perceptible at -birth, and during the first eight or ten days, will sometimes grow to a -disproportionate length afterwards. With regard to the paws and the tail, -half a _decimètre's_ length at the moment of birth indicates undoubtedly -an appreciable length later on. One can also determine on the first day -the future firmness of the muscles and bones by the relative resistance of -these little velvety lumps when held in the hand. A strong voice, which is -more especially the appendage of male kittens, indicates at any rate good -lungs. - -Mitis, who is so gentle, has more flattened ears than Riquet; the latter's -stand up more like those of foxes and wolves. The little complementary -_pavillion_ ... which is attached to both edges of the ear, slightly -towards the bottom, and which in man is designated by a slight rudimentary -excrescence, is beginning to appear in both my kittens. - -They are now well advanced in the art of play; they fence well with their -paws, lick each other, and tumble and roll each other over. Riquet, who -has some difficulty in standing upright on his legs, has attempted a jump. -They try to bite each other at play, specially aiming at each other's -paws. Often by mistake they seize their own paws with their teeth and gnaw -at them; but they are not long in finding out their error. - -I place them on the ground. They tremble, seem frightened, or rather -astonished, or undecided, and make a few uncertain movements. One of them -perceives the mother at a distance of about a _mètre_, looking at them -from under a chair. He goes straight up to her, but very slowly, and with -a great deal of waddling; all of a sudden he stops. He has heard his -brother's voice, the latter having whined on my touching him to rouse him -out of his persistent immovability; he turns his head in our direction, -distinguishes me, turns straight round, and comes up to me with much -greater rapidity and assurance than he had shown in going to his mother. -The reason of this is, that the road to me was shorter and surer, and the -stimulus to traverse it greater, owing to the larger proportions of my -body. I place them back in the box, and they begin playing again with -zest. The one who had only moved feebly on the floor, walks, and even -jumps, much better this morning. This little outing seems to have -stimulated him to an effort which he had not made before. In like manner -we sometimes note progress in young children from day to day. - -They can now climb up to the middle of the box. - -A board, a few _centimètres_ wide, is nailed to the top of the box, and -covers about a fourth part of it. Mitis looks at it with longing eyes; he -makes up his mind, draws himself up as erect as he can, stretches up his -paws to the partition and within five _centimètres_ of the upper plank; -he is longing to make an upward leap, and finally he ventures on it; but -his heavy abdomen and his weak legs play him false, and he rolls over -ignominiously. In like manner a young child, not yet firm on his legs, -leaving the support of the chair to venture a step alone, falls in a soft -heap on the floor. - -_4th June._--They play more and more with my finger, bite at it and lick -it. They seem to look at all objects more attentively, and more -sympathetically at their mother and me. - -When they are playing about under their mother, one sees only a confusion -of white paws, pink noses, shining eyes, and whisking tails. I have put -them on my bed. They walk much better there than in the box, and -infinitely better than on the floor; they studied everything in this new -locality, walking, climbing up and down, sliding and rolling about. -Riquet, having reached the edge of the bed, would have fallen over if I -had not held him back. His more circumspect brother, finding himself in -the same situation, leant his head over for a moment, and then, as if -defying a danger more or less realised; turned round and precipitated -himself at the other side of the bed. - -_11th June._--They frisk and bound about, and catch at all objects -indiscriminately with their claws to try and climb. They look into each -other's eyes as if trying to discover the expression of sentiments and -ideas. This may proceed from astonishment and curiosity, and the delight -of the ever new impressions which the movement of the eyes cannot fail to -produce in them. But must it not also be partly the result of an -hereditary predisposition of their organisation, which leads them to seek -in the eyes for the meaning which they express? We know that adult -animals, as well as man, are endowed with this tendency which proceeds -from instinct rather than individual experience. - -Partly from imitation of their mother and sister, partly from the teaching -of their instinct, they went off one day to a certain out-of-the-way spot, -where was placed a pan full of ashes, the object of which does not require -to be explained. Observing this, I carried them from time to time to this -pan. The smell proceeding from it was in itself sufficient to excite them -to satisfy their needs. Three or four such experiences sufficed to -associate with the idea of this smell the idea of the pan, of the place -where it was, and of the need to be satisfied. I do not say that this -habit of cleanliness, so quickly acquired, may not as quickly be lost, by -means of new associations taking the place of the first. There is no -doubt, however, that if the people would make it a rule to watch over the -formation of habits in cats during the first weeks (and probably also in -other animals and in children), it would not afterwards be necessary to -have recourse to a system of barbarous, and often useless measures, in -order to obtain from them by violence that which nature will manage alone -with but very slight assistance. - -The shutters are closed on account of the extreme heat, so that the room -is in semi-darkness, and all the objects in it steeped in mysterious -shadow. Riquet, frisking about at a little distance from the box, sees a -footstool at about a _mètre's_ distance. This object, with its four feet -and their shadows would easily produce in my mind the illusion of some -mysterious animal. This, however, cannot be the case with the kitten, -unless we suppose in it a mental confusion of the inanimate with the -animate, that is to say, the animalisation of the inanimate. My opinion is -that the surprise, and presently, too, the terror which Riquet manifests, -and which keeps him transfixed to the spot, have their origin rather in a -certain indeterminate tendency to fear in the presence of all sudden and -unusual impressions. Such an apparition would have had no effect whatever -on him a few days ago; but to-day it is so much out of harmony with his -now numerous experiences, that it contradicts and jars against all his -familiar habits. This is, in my mind, the sole cause of his terror. -However it may be, he draws himself up on his small paws, bristles his -tail, humps up his back, and without either retreating or advancing, sways -right and left in the same attitude. I make a movement; this noise brings -his paroxysm of fear to a crisis, and he gives expression to it by a -fretful _fû_; he then turns round and goes off as fast as his legs will -carry him, the first way that comes, which happens to be to the side of -the bed. - -_12th June._--They are attracted by the noise which I make in crumpling -paper, in scratching the wall, or tapping a piece of furniture; but -metallic sounds, if soft, do not have the same effect on them; the noise -of objects being knocked, dull heavy sounds, or the noise of sharp voices, -astonish them and make them prick up their ears, but not lift their paws. -They take pleasure, however, in all the noises which they make themselves, -provided they are not too reverberating, or caused by the displacement or -fall of some large object. The loudest voice that I can put on pleases -them almost as much as the little playful tones I generally address them -in; they also delight in the strings of articulated consonants, which I -repeat to them; but they do not like whistling, although they are not so -much annoyed by it as is their mother, who comes up to me and rubs her -head under my chin and over my mouth, and gives me little taps on my lips -with her paw directly she hears me whistling. What specially delights them -are the dry sounds which their claws make on wood, linen, paper, the straw -seats of chairs, and the covering of the bed. - -Mitis has drunk some milk this morning for the first time. I put the tip -of my finger, moistened with this fluid, under his nose, and he licked it -several times running. Enticed by the smell, he dipped his nose into a cup -of milk, but did not know how to set about drinking; up came the mother -and took his place, as if the milk was her rightful property. She -generally tries to take away from her little ones anything fresh, when it -is first given to them, perhaps out of maternal precaution, not thinking -them strong enough to digest anything but her milk. As she laps in a great -hurry, she always spills a certain quantity of milk round the saucer. I -placed Mitis in front of what had been spilled, and whether by chance, or -because he was incited by the smell, he fell to licking and cleaned it all -up. A quarter of an hour later he drank out of the cup, very awkwardly -however, and very little, plunging his nose so far into the milk as to -make him sneeze. - -Riquet, to whom the same advances were made, licked the tip of my finger, -but did not touch the milk in the cup. He is less strong than Mitis, and -possibly less precocious in this respect. - -When I come back into the room after an absence of even half an hour, the -mother raises herself on her paws, as if moved by a spring, and her two -satellites with her,--all at the same instant and with the same movement. - -They still continue to be very fond of us, and not to be startled by -strangers. - -I have tried to make Riquet drink: I put his nose into the milk, and he -then dipped his paw in himself and licked it, but would not lap. He went -so far as to approach the cup with his nose and just touch it with his -lips, but he then started off again. - -He is now under the chimney, sniffing and then scratching the ashes, -which, as his movements indicate, remind him of his ash-pan. If I once or -twice tolerated an infraction of my rule, the habit of cleanliness so -easily formed in him would perhaps be hopelessly lost; this is why I -hasten to carry him to his pan. - -At 3 o'clock we repeated with Riquet the experiment which had failed in -the morning; we smeared his nose with milk. He then licked it, and -afterwards put his nose in the cup, and drank a good teaspoonful. - -This morning they are more vigorous and nimble than yesterday, and they -have been disporting themselves on my bed for more than an hour, whilst -their mother and elder sister were engaged, by way of recreation, in -snatching tufts of hair from each other's coats, in scratching and -throttling each other. The mother gives a cry to indicate that this sport -has reached its limits. Mitis has tumbled off the bed with affright, -uttering a plaintive cry. - -A ludicrous incident very nearly parted me from my two little pets. An old -laundress, whose sight is very feeble, as well as her mind, shut them up -in her bundle of linen, on which they had been playing whilst she was -counting it. I gave them up for lost, having searched for them everywhere, -even in my boots. Three hours later they were brought back to me safe and -sound. This is what had happened: on opening the bundle, out walked a -kitten (Mitis) who seemed very much surprised, he was put in a basket with -a cup of milk beside him; the other was only found an hour later, to the -great astonishment of the laundress, squatting under a cupboard and -showing nothing but the tip of his nose. He refused all manner of -consolation, and would not touch the milk, in spite of the example of -Mitis who did not wait to be pressed. - -As soon as they were safe back with me they both ate some bread soaked in -milk. - -The mother was very much dejected by their absence. When, after calling -them in vain with her most caressing voice, and making pretence to play to -entice them to come to her, she became convinced of their absence, she -filled my rooms with agonised screams. She then begged to be let out to -look for them in the court-yard, but soon came in again and began -screaming and hunting about as before. She came up to me and got up on my -knees, looked me fixedly in the eyes, and then curled herself up on the -bed where the kittens often sleep with her. Her eyes went beyond the -expression of profound despair; her eyelids quivered, a slight moisture -covered the eyeballs, and at the inside corners there was the appearance -of tears. There is no doubt that cats cry. - -I have several times noticed, but in a specially distinct manner to-day, -on lifting them away from any place where they are comfortable, an -instinctive, or perhaps intentional, tendency to lean either with the -stomach or the paws, in order to remain fixed to the spot. An analogous -movement may be noticed in young children, when one tries to take them out -of the arms of some one they are fond of. I might no doubt have observed -this fact in my kittens long ago. - -I was holding Mitis in my hands, and I lifted him near to his mother and -Riquet; he made a precipitate movement to get down to them, instinct -urging him to spring--and that all the more since he is now stronger;--but -his experience and his strength not sufficing to enable him to adapt his -efforts to the distance he had to cross. Thus it is that falling from the -bed often means in his case a bad attempt at jumping down. It is also -possible that it is the example of his mother and big sister, as much as -his increased strength, which suggests these somewhat impulsive bounds, -which moreover belong to the organic habits of the species. The little -unfledged bird also falls from its nest, when attempting a premature -flight. - -Nothing in the shape of food comes amiss to Riquet: soup, meat, potatoes, -pease, lard--he snaps at, and devours whatever he comes across and -whatever is offered him; but one must beware of the little glutton's sharp -claws. Mitis takes his food more gently. - -_18th June._--Riquet is playing with me on the sofa. A sole is placed on -the table. The smell of the fish excites and puzzles him, for he does not -know whence it comes; he travels over me in all directions, trying to -follow the scent, and is soon perched up on my left shoulder, which is -tolerably close to the table; he works towards the table, and I stoop my -shoulder to let him slide on to it. He rubs his nose first against a spoon -and then against a glass; the plate containing the sole is only a -_decimètre_ from the glass, but as he does not know that a plate contains -food, and that it is from there that the savoury smell proceeds, he does -not direct his steps towards it. Finally, however, he finds himself in -front of the plate, puts his four paws on it, and instantly disposes -himself to eat the whole fish. I instantly carry him off. What a small -number of experiences he will need (two or three only I have determined) -in order to adapt to actual practice these judgments and movements which -unite instinctively with certain sensations! We call this _reasoning_ in -man, and, nevertheless, it closely resembles a piece of subjective -mechanism, which is blind at starting, and which adapts itself to -objective representations with such promptitude, that consciousness seems -to follow, not to precede, its operations. - -Whilst I was at my breakfast they climbed up my legs, and I had the -weakness to let them stay for a moment on the table. They invaded my -plate, Mitis going so far as to bite into the fish, and Riquet licking and -gnawing the edge of the plate; the smell of the fish is so penetrating -that he confuses it with the plate. Moreover, he has no idea of -_containing_ and being _contained_. Soon he comes across a mouthful of -fish which I have prepared for him: he flattens himself out on the plate, -and eats with courageous and deliberate precipitation, inclining his head -now to the left, now to the right, sometimes closing his eyes from -delight, but oftenest keeping them open and fixed attentively on the -plate,--one would say he was afraid of losing his precious morsel; and -here we see a result of the preservative instinct which he has received -from his ancestors. - -Mitis has got into a round earthen pan, and from association of -impressions tries to satisfy a need which he would not otherwise have -felt. The vessel, however, being small, and his movements causing it to -totter, he jumped out and ran off to his own pan. - -_20th June._--Mitis suddenly springs from the table to the floor, first -feeling his mother with the end of his paw, and then passing over her -without touching her: is it a personal or a social motive which makes him -act thus? Does he wish to avoid walking on ground that is not firm, or is -he trying not to hurt his mother? In like manner will a horse, on the -point of trampling a live body, hastily withdraw his foot. - -They have been playing for a long time on my bed; before I go to sleep I -shall carry them to their own bedroom, to their mother who awaits them -somewhat sadly. They came back into my room as soon as I did myself. I sit -down in front of my table, they climb up along my legs, and I determine to -place them back on my bed. Twenty minutes later I reinstate them a second -time in their domicile, but they do not stay there two minutes. I had just -got into bed again when back they come, spring at the bed-cover, the -chairs, the wall, with a noise of scratching and rustling which excites -them to continue their difficult ascent; at the end of two minutes the -siege is accomplished, and I am seized upon, trodden over, scratched and -gnawed. I cannot be master in my own room except by shutting the door, at -which, however, they come and scratch, but without much persistence. - -So there they are, now pretty well masters of their movements, taking -headers to get down from the bed to the chair, from the chair to the -floor, climbing up along the curtains and the tapestry, and even -attempting to climb the furniture and polished objects. A few more days -and their mode of descending will be less like tumbling, their ascents -less like scrambling: they will spring and they will bound, and will be -real individual cats. - - -Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome and London. - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] The Zoological Society has now fitted up the building, which was -formerly the Reptile House, with new cages, and to this "Cat House" the -specimens above alluded to have been removed, together with other forms -which were kept within the "Small Mammals' House," such as the Pampas Cat, -the Ocelot, the Geoffroy's Cat, Serval, etc. - -[2] The number of visitors admitted on the occasion of this one-day show -amounted to the grand total of 19,310. - -[3] The above editorial note was added when the chapter appeared in _The -Animal World_. - -[4] The Latins had the happy expression _mansuetus_ to express this idea. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Cat, by Philip M. 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