The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-10-11
THE CATS PLACE IN SCIENCE.


Miiddclphid Times.
When scientific men meet for the dis
cussion of purely scientific subjects, their
essays generally possess little interest for
the ordinary public. This is partly owing
to the great number of polysyllabic words
used by the scientists, and partly to the
in all cases those in which the people
think they have a living interest. Few
care about reading essays on the struct-
ure Of the metatarsal arch Of the mega
therium, OF listening to discussions con-
corning the spots in the sun, the holes in
the moon or the latest style in which Sat
urn wears his belt. But when science can
stoop to handle such common object as
the cat, the public becomes an interested
stockholder
And even though science, 10th to depart
from her usual stately methods, may
speak of this animal as the felis domcsti-
ca, yet the public consents to refrain from
quarreling as to a mere matter of termin-
ology, and waits with interest to know
what science will make of the cat.
1t was long ago known that black cats
were useful in the development of the
electric spark. Without black cats Frank
lin and Morse might have remained in
midnight of ignorance as to electrical al
fairs, and the network of telegraph wires
which now cause our city officials such
botheration might never have been erect
cd.
The yellow cat, the gray Maltese cat
and the speckled cat have passed their
lives in comparative uselessness, except
in the capturing Of vagabond mice and
the sending forth OF resonant nocturnal
music. But ROW Professor Wilder brings
to the front large white Thomas cat.
Having cthcrized this animal and remoy-
ed the top of its skull SO as to uncover the
brain. the professor proceeds with series
of experiments, compared with which the
exercises of an ordinary circus arc tame
and unintercsting. The naturaliSts gath
cred at Saratoga watch with GREATNESS
emotion as theprofessor shows what the
eat will do when currents o! electricity
are sent through various portions of the
brain.
4 chart was exhibited showing what
would happen when certain organs were
thus brought into activity. When spot
number one was stirred up the cat un-
consciously advanced its hind leg as if to
kick, and when the current was passed
through spot number two similar demon
STATIONS were observed i'll reference to
one of the front legs. Several other evil
dcnces of tho connection of the brain with
the kicking and scratching apparatus
were in due course observed with great
pleasure by the naturalists, the cat being
all the time happily unconscious Of the
aid he was rendering to the cause Of
science. But it was not until the scen-
fists came to the spot marked number
nine that Thomas did his best
On the proper application Of the cleo
trio current to this spot there was-a
prompt and vicious opening of tic jaws.
The mouth yawncd wide. like chasm.
The tail punched otto diameter great
ly i'll excces -. mat exhibited by a restful
Thomas cat With irritatctl nostris and
flashing eye and quickened lip, the cat
| spit and screamed and yowled. as he had
doubtless yowlcd and screamed and spit
many and many time when with others
Of his race engaged in concert perform
auccs on somebodv's back shed. II was
| tbe work of only \ few moments TO take
the ether out of this cat, fix the top OF
! his skull neatly ON his head and sew III
his fur.
Conscious by this time that he had paid
valued tribute to science. and at no great
ncrsoral Inconvenience 70 himself he
walked away and sourht rcfreshmcnt
Both the cat and his observers should be
well satisfied with this proceeding. The
fact is now we'll established that the
motions and practices of cats can be reg
uIated and many of the Objectionable
features of their midnight prowls modifi.
ed to such an extent that the cat will nc
LONGER be such an unpopular animals as
| in the nights that are past. All that is
necessary is to attach a battery and 2
wire TO each cat who Goes out for tho
evoninn
A small battery which the cat car
wear SUSPENDED from collar around his
neck. will answer every purpose. as only 4
weak electric current is required. The
wire must terminate at the part of the
head which is nearest to the portion OF
the brain to be operated upon. If a cat
is desired simply to scratch in the garden
with ono or both hind lers. the location
OF the terminus of the wire can be so ar
RANGED IF If is desired TO make n rentle
moving so as to attract other cats with a
view of hayipr somebody shoot them OF
! fire tornedoes nj them. The proper shift.
inr If tbo annaratus will be n matter oil
casv nr,cticr
But if some mischievous inmate of Z