202 OUR HOME PETS 



manner, dainty in taste, he is as welcome in 

 the study as in the drawing-room. No acci- 

 dent to the most delicate treasures of bric-a- 

 brac marks his presence, no ear-splitting barks 

 disturb the absorbed worker, no violent dem- 

 onstrations put to flight the thoughts of the 

 student. When a terrier captures a rat, it is 

 with noise and bluster enough to rouse the 

 whole household ; but who knows by any dem- 

 onstration the moment that pussy pounces 

 upon his prey ? So long and so perfectly has 

 the unappreciated creature performed his duty 

 of guarding our property from rats and mice, 

 that we can hardly imagine what would be our 

 suffering without his services. 



Most costly and most beautiful are the aris- 

 tocrats of the tribe the long-haired cats of 

 whom there are three distinct varieties, differ- 

 ing in form, color, and quality of coat, as well 

 as in disposition and temper. They are the 

 Angora, the Russian, and the Persian. 



The first-named is brought from Angora, in 

 western Asia, the region which glso furnishes 

 the remarkable goat of the same name. In its 

 native land, as indeed everywhere, this beau- 

 tiful beast is a cherished darling of fortune, 



