38 



LONG-HAIRED CATS, 



fore, I am led to suppose that the three I have enumerated 

 are the only domesticated long-haired varieties. The nearest 

 approach, I believe, to these in the wild state is that of the 

 British wild cat, which has in some instances a mane and 

 a bushy tail, slightly resembling that of the Russian long- 

 hair, with much of the same facial expression, and rather 

 pointed tufts at the apex of the ears. It is also large, like 

 some of the " long-haired " cats that I have seen ; in fact, it 

 far more resembles these breeds than those of the short hair. 

 I was much struck with the many points of similitude on see- 

 ing the British wild cat exhibited by the Duke of Sutherland 

 at the first cat show at the Crystal Palace in July, 187 1. I 

 merely offer this as an idea for further consideration. At the 

 same time, allow me to say that I have had no opportunity 

 of studying the anatomy of the British wild cat, in contra- 

 distinction to that of the Russian, or others with long hair. 

 I only wish to point out what I term a general resemblance, 

 far in excess of those with short hair. I am fully aware how 

 difficult it is to trace any origin of the domestic cat, or from 

 what breeds ; it is also said, that the British wild cat is not 

 one of them, still I urge there exists the similarity I men- 

 tion ; whether it is so apparent to others I know not. 



