Abstract
I HAVE known three cats which behaved as if they thought. The first, a large, sleek tabby, belonged to a private family living in the City. Between 1846 and 1858 the owner, Mr. I. S., was surprised by his manservant coming to his office at the back of the house in business hours and asking, “Did you ring, sir?” “No, I have not been into the house,” was his answer. This occurred repeatedly. At last the man watched, and observed that, the family being in other rooms, the dining room bell rang, and when he answered it the cat ran out of the door. He then purposely shut her into the room. A leather easy chair was so placed that by getting on the seat, and then standing on the arm, she could reach the knob with her front paw; and she continued to practise this accomplishment as often as she was shut up in the room.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
N., Y. Thinking Cats. Nature 71, 9 (1904). https://doi.org/10.1038/071009b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/071009b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.