THE CAT. [_Page 7._


1. The cat lives in and about our homes; so we call it a domestic
animal.

2. It belongs to the same tribe of animals as the lion and tiger. They
are savage--puss is tame. Like them, it is a beast of prey--that is, it
catches and eats other animals. They cannot hear it coming with its
soft, padded feet.

3. The cat leaps upon its prey. It sticks its strong, sharp claws into a
mouse, and soon kills it with its sharp teeth.

4. Puss is covered with fur; she has five claws on each fore-paw, and
four on each hind one. She draws them into little sheaths when not
angry.

5. With its rough tongue the cat can lap up milk, and also clean its
fur. It likes to be clean. It opens its eyes wider in the dark, and can
see to run about at night. On each side of its head are long whiskers,
with which it feels its way.

_Write and learn:_

Cats have--
Padded feet.
Sharp claws and teeth.