"Kittens, puppies, young pigs and probably many other animals, alternately push their fore-feet against the mammary glands of their mothers, to excite a freer secretion of milk, or to make it flow. Now it is very common with young cats, and not at all rare with old cats of the common and Persian breeds (believed by some naturalists to be specifically distinct), when comfortably lying on a warm shawl or other soft substance, to pound it quietly and alternately with their fore-feet; their toes being spread out and claws slightly protruded, precisely as when sucking their mother. That it is the same movement is clearly shown by their often at the same time taking a bit of the shawl into their mouths and sucking it; generally closing their eyes and purring from delight."
- Charles Darwin, The Expressions of the Emotions in Man and Animals
2 comments:
Ever seen a drunk at a backyard bbq flat on his back with a tinnie in hand? The Persian cat would be more elegant.
One of my favourite things about cats is when they're not elegant, e.g., legs in the air like you just don't care.
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