WHY CATS FALL ON THEIR FEET.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2904, 31 January 1911, Page 7

WHY CATS FALL ON THEIR FEET.

A scientist has constructed an ingenious model to show why cats in falling invariably alight on their feet. This model, roughly speaking, consists of a cardboard cylinder wherein are stuck four rods to serve for legs, together with a tail devised on similar principles. The object of the experiment is to show that a feline's peculiar faculty depends on the rotation of its tail with sufficient vigour. This faculty is one specially developed by climbing and leaping animals, such as members of the cat tribe, monkeys, squirrels, rats, and most lemurs. As mentioned, the tail plays an important part in the

turning process. According to the investigator all tree-inhabiting monkeys have long tails, and there is not the slightest doubt that these tails are of great aid t,o all climbers in enabling them to turn in the air. The tail also serves as a' balancer, as evidenced in the cass of a squirrel which may be seen walking along a tightly "stretched wire or string, swinging its tail from side to side much after the manner of a tightrope walker balancing himself with a pole.