Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-15

The domestic cat, scientifically called
" Fers Catus." belongs to the same order as
the Ion, the tiger, and many other carnivo-
rous, or 1esh-eating animals. IL has been
the companion of man from the earliest
periods Of history The cat is supposed TO
have been first domesticated In Egypt. Tn,
wild ones are nearly alike in size and color,
but the tame ones show great variety Of
colors
The Maltese cat is celebrated as a good
mouser; the tabbv cat, or cat with mingled
buff, black and white fur is related to the
wild breeds the tortoise-shell cat originated
in Spain, and the tailless or manx cat Is
FROM the Isle Of Man The French people
are great cat-fancers, and have many beau
tiful breeds
The habits of cats are familiar to all, and
although they become very familiar and
friendly 10y kind treatment, still they are
never to be entirely trusted, for unlike the
dog, treachery turks beneath their soft and
gentle demeanor a black cat has always
been IN some way connected with supersu-
tion. The general character and capabili-
ties Of cats would seem to be the same. and
yet everybody knows there is almost as
great difference between certain breeds OF
cats as between human families. The hunt
ing propensity, also the thievish DISPOSE
tion, and neat and cleanly habits seem to be
as surely transmitted from parents To chill
dren as peculiarities Of color.
We once owned a tortoise-shell cat, whose
kittens were sought for miles around, as She
was a celebrated hunter, very neat and at-
fectionate, exceedingly playful and intelli-
gent, but still bit of thief. Her kittens
all inherited her character, especially those
which had her color and markings. She
died of old age, a beloved and lamented cat,
and we will close this cat chapter with a
true story of one of her descendants. She
had a kitten which was named Polly, and
Polly was petted, and taught, till she could
do all but talk, as children say.
She disappeared for two or three days one
summer, and on her return it was supposed
she had a family secreted somewhere, but
nobody knew where. After being well fed
she ran out of doors and then returned, and
by her caressing actions seemed to invite a
Young lady of the family to 20 with her.
After she had repeated her coaxing conduct
for some time and would not be pacified,
the young lady concluded to follow her, and
see what she wanted. Polly led the way,
across a field, over a fence and far away
into a piece OF woods aud when her friend
hesitated to follow any further, her mute
peadings were so eloquent she could not be
refused. At last she ran under an old, up
turned stump, and there she had hidden five
little kittens They were all taken out into
the Young lady's apron, Polly looking on
and in every way possible, manifesting heI
delight till they were all out, and she had
satisfied herself none were left Then she
started for home, running before, stopping
to roll in the path, rubbing against the dress
of her friend and nearly tripping her feet
in her eageness.
Who can say cats do not reason, after
such facts The cat knew it was too fal
for her to carry her family, and they were
not safe where they were, so she asked hel
friends to help her. She. too, reached ;
good old age, " Reguiescai IN pace