the science or doctrine of cases of conscience; the science of resolving cases of doubtful propriety, or of determining the lawfulness or unlawfulness of what a person may do, by rules and principles derived from the Scriptures, the canon law, the councils and fathers, the laws of society, or from equity and natural reason. It is termed by Kant the *dialectics of conscience*.

**CAT.** See index to MAMMALIA.

**CAT,** a prefix of many English words derived from the Greek, signifying opposition, contrariety, under, down, downward; and sometimes used merely to express completeness or intensiveness, as in *cataclysm*.

**CAT'S-EYE,** or SUX-STONE, a kind of gem found chiefly in Siberia. In Latin it is called *oculus cati*, and sometimes *onyxophaeus*, from its white zones or rings like onyx, and its variable colours like opal. It is a sub-species of quartz, containing parallel fibres of amianthus.

**CAT-GUT,** a name absurdly enough given to the intestines of sheep, dried and twisted; used for the strings of violins, harps, &c., and sometimes coloured.

**CAT-SALT,** a name given by salt-workers to a very beautifully granulated kind of common salt.