THE DOMESTIC CAT. Why is it evident that cats have been domesticated from the most remote antiquity? Because the mummies of the cat found in the sepulchres of Thebes, and the figures sculptured on monuments bearing the names of the Pharaohs, concur with the Sacred Scriptures to prove, that in the earliest ages, the cat existed in Egypt and Palestine, in the domestic state. Why is the cat in China called 'Mao' or 'Miao?' Because the external rays of light, of which there is some in most dark places, after being concentrated by those parts which are called the cornea and the crystalline lens, are reflected in a brilliant concave mirror at the bottom of the eye, called the tapetum.(Home.) This effect may be constantly seen in the domestic cat. In the strong light of the day, the iris is so contracted, that a very small quantity of light is admitted to this mirror; but in the twilight the iris opens, and then the mirror being completely exposed, the eye glares in the manner with which we are all familiar. The construction, therefore, of the eye of the cat tribe enables them to collect in one focus whatever light may be found; -and few places are so dark but that some light may be found; - as we know when we have gone into a cellar, where the darkness at first appears impenetrable, but where, even with our differently constructed organ of vision, we soon distinguish objects without difficulty. Lib. Ent. Knowl. Why does the pupil of the cat's eye serve to mark time? Because it is like a thread at eleven at night, eleven in the morning, and five in the morning; like a jujubier nut at one in the morning, one in the afternoon, seven in the morning, and seven in the evening; and 3* PART II. like the full moon at three in the morning, at one, nine, and eight in the evening. The tip of its nose is always cold, excepting on the day of the summer solstice, when it becomes lukewarm. - Japanese Encyclopædia. Why does a cat shrink on the whiskers of her upper lip being pulled? Because the 'whiskers are attached to a bed of close glands under the skin; and each of these long and stiff hairs is connected with the nerves of the lip.(Cuvier.) The slightest contact of these whiskers with any surrounding object is thus felt most distinctly, although the hairs themselves are insensible. Why does the cat lick herself? Because the tongue is the chief instrument in cleaning herself, and is constructed somewhat like a curry-comb, or rather a wool-card, being bent with numerous horny points, bent downwards and backwards, and which serve several important purposes, such as lapping milk, filing minute portions of meat from bones, and especially, keeping the fur smooth and clean; and cats are by no means sparing in their labour to effect this. The female cat is still more particular with her kittens than herself, and always employs much time in licking their fur smooth. Mr Rennie-in Journ. Royal Instit. Why does the cat destroy mice? Because its ruling passion is for animal food, or rather the desire to destroy a living animal. Hence, also, the cat devours insects, as flies, beetles, cockroaches, &c. Why do cats bury their excrement? Because of an instinct of distrust resulting from their wild state, which revolts against the feeling of domestication, because the strong smell of their excrements might reveal their retreat, and the abode and asylum of their young, which are to remain concealed. Thus, it is not from cleanliness, as generally supposed. Why is it commonly thought that cats will always fall upon their feet? Because of the facility with which they balance themselves when springing from a height; which power of balancing is in some degree produced by the flexibility of the heel, the bones of which have no fewer than four joints. Why do cats alight softly on their feet? Because in the middle of the foot there is placed a large ball, or pad, in five parts, formed of an elastic substance; and at the base of each toe is a similar pad. It is impossible to imagine any mechanism more calculated to break the force of a fall. THE SLOTH. Why is the sloth slow in his movements, and in a state of pain, when confined in a menagerie? Because his feet are not formed for walking on the ground; they cannot act in a perpendicular direction and his sharp and long claws are curved. He can only move on the ground by pulling himself along by some inequalities on the surface, therefore on a smooth floor he is wretched. He is intended to pass his life constantly suspended by his four legs from under the branches of trees, thus travelling from branch to branch, and sleeping when he is satisfied. THE CAMEL. Why is the camel used for travelling in the deserts of hot countries? Because its feet are formed to tread lightly upon a dry and shifting soil; its nostrils have the capacity of closing, so as to shut out the driving sand, when the whirlwind scatters it over the desert; and it is provided with a peculiar apparatus for retaining water in its stomach, so that it can march from well to well without great inconvenience, although they be several hundred miles apart. Why do camels travel in a single file? Because if any of the loads get out of order, they can be adjusted by leading the camel out of the line, before those behind have come up; whereas, if they marched with a wide extended front, the whole caravan must stop when any accident happens to a single camel. Burckhardt. Why do camel drivers give camels three times their usual quantity of food before proceeding over a sterile district? Because the construction of the stomach enables the animals to ruminate upon this supply of food during a very long march. Burckhardt. Why does the camel kneel down to receive its burthen? Because soon after a camel is born, his owner ties his feet under its belly, and having thrown a large cloth over its back, heavy stones are put at each corner of the cloth, which rests on the ground. In this manner the camel becomes accustomed to receive the heaviest loads. Prevost, Voyages. Why is the camel's tread perfectly noiseless? Because its feet are as soft as sponge or leather, being composed of an elastic substance, and covered with hair; wherefore the large creature moves along, under a very heavy load, with no greater noise than is made by the deer bounding over the grassy turf. Why has the camel a hump on its back? Because the soft, fatty substance of which the hump is composed, may, when the animal is without food in the desert, become absorbed into the system, and thus afford nourishment to the animal; the hump being renewed when the camel obtains pasturage. Why are dromedaries used for riding? Because of their superior swiftness to the heavy camel. Thus, the camel of the caravan, or the baggage camel, may be compared to the dray-horse; the dromedary to the hunter, and, in some instances, to the race-horse. THE ANTELOPE. Why are some antelopes called lyre antelopes? Because their horns are in the shape of the lyre. Why is a certain species of antelope called the springbok? Because it takes remarkable flying leaps, rising with the back curved or elevated to the height of eight feet in the air, as if about to take flight. — Burchell's Travels. Why is the age of the antelope in some measure to be estimated by its horns? Because the horns, which appear in the seventh month, increase rapidly in size until the third year, when they have completed two spiral turns, and are marked by about twelve elevated rings. After this their growth is less rapid; but at six years old the number of convolutions is increased to three, and that of the circular rings to twenty-seven. They are then about thirteen inches in length, nearly close at the base, and about a foot apart at the points. At a still more advanced period they may attain sixteen, twenty, or even twenty-four inches in length; but the number of complete convolutiong seldom reaches four. Why are hawks flown at antelopes in hunting them? Because the hawks keep the antelopes occupied until the dogs have time to come up with them and seize them. Why is the term 'gazelle' figurative of perfect beauty? Because the gazelle, a species of antelope, is one of the most elegant animals in nature. Its skin is beautifully sleek, its body extremely graceful, its head peculiarly light, its ears highly flexible, its eyes |