Casus Omissus

[Lat.] ( Law.) A case which is not provided for. When such cases arise in statutes which are intended to provide for all cases of a given character which may arise, or in a contract, the common law governs. Cas'well, in N. Carolina, a N. county, bordering on Virginia; area , 400 sq. m. It is intersected by Hycootee River and County Line Creek, affluents of Dan River. Its surface is undulating, and the soil fertile. Cap . Yancey. Pop . 16,081. This co. was named in honor of Richard Caswell, first governor of North Carolina, and brigadier-general in the army of the American Revolution. B. 1729; D. 1789. comes within reach, when they seize it with a bound, and after playing with, put it to death. The pupil of the eye in most animals is capable of but a small degree of contraction and dilatation; it enlarges a little in the dark, and contracts when the light pours upon it too profusely; but in the eyes of Cats, this contraction and dilatation is so considerable, that the pupil, which by day appears narrow and small, by night expands over the whole surface of the eye-ball, and gives the eyes a luminous appearance. By means of this peculiar Fig . 534.-WILD CAT, ( Felis cat us fer us.) structure, their eyes are better adapted for vision at night than in the day-time; and they are thus fitted for discovering and surprising their prey. Cats are extremely fond of strong-smelling plants, and will roll in valerian till they seem almost mad with excitement. Personally, the C. is a very cleanly animal, avoiding to step in any sort of filth, concealing its excrement in the earth with great care, and preserving its fur in a very neat condition; which being generally clean and dry, readily yields electric sparks when rubbed. The Cat goes with young for 63 days, and brings forth from 3 to 6 at a litter, which remain blind for 9 days. The varie ties of this animal in a domestic state are very numer ous; it is either entirely black (black and white); black, fulvous, and white (called the Tortoise-shell or Spanish Cat); entirely white; fulvous and white; dun color or tawny, either plain or striped; tabby, boldly striped; slate-colored or blue-gray (called the Chartreux Cat); with very long fur, especially on the neck and tail (the Persian Cat); long hair of silvery whitene and silky texture (called the Angora Cat); and, lastly, with pencilled or tufted ears, like a lynx, rarely, takes place. Of all the above varieties, the Persian, the Angora, and the new, tall, and gray Malta variety, are the most remarkable. Although the Cat is capable of showing considerable fondne for an individual, it seems to be a pretty general opinion that she seldom, if ever, confides fully, even in the warmest demonstrations of kindne ; but, being highly sensitive and fond of ease, evinces little anxiety, except for the continuance of her enjoyment. Yet, with all the prejudice that exists against the furtivene and treachery of the species, no one can deny that, when well educated, the Cat po e es qualities which well entitle her to the regard and protection of mankind; and if she does not exhibit the vivid and animated attachment of the dog, she is still of an affectionate and gentle disposition, and grateful to her benefactors. Nor does any animal, whose habits we have the opportunity of accurately observing, exhibit a greater degree of maternal tenderne ; the extreme a iduity with which she attends her young, and the fondne which she shows for them, never fail to attract attention. lynx, which sometimes, though ( Mil .) In the military engineering of the Middle Ages, a kind of movable tower to cover the sappers as they advanced to a besieged place. It was also called CAT-CASTLE. (Naut.) A single masted boat generally from 16 to 32 feet in length, and proportionately wide, carrying one sail; much used on our coasts for fishing excursions. -A ship employed in the English coal-trade. -A tackle by which the anchor is raised to the cathead. A double tripod, having six feet. (Games.) A game at ball formerly played. Cat and dog. Quarrelsome, like a cat and dog. "I am sure we have lived a cat and dog life of it."-Cole ridge. England. At what period Cats became inmates of human habitations, it is scarcely po ible, at this period, to determine, but there is good reason to believe that they were at first domesticated in Egypt. The Cat belongs to a genus better armed for the destruction of animal life than all other quadrupeds. The short and powerful jaws, moved by vigorous muscles, are supplied with most formidable trenchant teeth; a cunning disposition, combined with nocturnal habits and much patience in pursuit, gives them great advantages over their prey; and their keen, lacerating claws enable them to inflict a certain death-blow. All animals considerably weaker than themselves prove objects of pursuit; but the mouse is their favorite game; for which they will patiently wait for a whole day till the victim To turn a cat in a pan. To make a sudden change of religion or politics, so as to be on the most powerful or popular side. - Cat-o'-nine-tails. A whip divided into nine strings or knots, which formed a terrible instrument for the infliction of corporal punishment in the navy and army, and, in certain cases, in the civil prisons. "You awful cat-o'-nine- tails to the stage, This once be just, and in our cause engage."-Vanbrugh. the anchor. Cat a basion, ( kat - a - bā'zhun ,) n. ( Arch .) A vault under the altar of a Greek church, in which relics are kept. Catacaus'tic, a. Relating to a caustic curve. Catacaus'tics, n. pl . [Gr. kata , and kaiō , I burn.] ( Ge om. and Optics.) The caustic curves formed by the reflection of the rays of light; -so called to distinguish them from the diacaustic , which are formed by refracted rays.