Show th the catts cat Wh iker kers every one must have observed what are usually called the whiskers ou on a 0 eats cats upper lip the uso rise of these in a 11 state of nature la Is very deiy important they rhey are organs of touch they are attached to a bed of close glands under the skin and each of these long lone and stiff hairs Is connected with the nerves of he lip the slightest contact of these whiskers with any surrounding object la Is thus felt most distinctly ly by the animal although tile the hairs themselves are insen insensible able they stand out on each side in the lion as well as lu in the oie common cat so BO that from point to point they are arc equal to the width of the animals body if wo we imagine therefore a lion stealing through a cover of wood in an imperfect light we shall at once ree eee file use of these long hairs they indicate to him through the nicest feeling any obstacle which may pre itself to the passage of its his fiody they prevent the rustle of boughs and leaves which would give warning to ills his prey if he were to attempt to pass through too close a bush thus thug in conjunction conJunct lon with the soft cushions of ills feet and the fur upon which lio lie trends the retractile claws never neer coming in contact with the ground they enable him to move towards ills victim with a stillness greater even than that of the snake |