74 SIAMESE CATS. 



bush, then away in the shaws ; not that they displayed 

 a wildness of nature, in being shy or distrustful, nor did 

 they seem to care about getting wet like many cats do, 

 though apparently they suffer much when it is cold and 

 damp weather, as would be likely on account of the 

 extreme shortness of their fur, which is of both a hairy and 

 a woolly texture, and not so glossy as our ordinary common 

 domestic cat, nor is the tail, which is thin. Lady Dorothy 

 Nevill informed rrie that those which belonged to her were 

 imported from Siam and presented by Sir R. Herbert of the 

 Colonial Office ; the late Duke of Wellington imported the 

 breed, also Mr. Scott of Rotherfield. Lady Dorothy Nevill 

 thought them exceedingly docile and domestic, but delicate 

 in their constitution ; although her ladyship kept one for two 

 years, another over a year, but eventually all died of the same 

 complaint, that of worms, which permeated every part of their 

 body. 



Mr. Young, of Harrogate, possesses a chocolate variety 

 of this Royal Siamese cat ; it was sent from Singapore to 

 Mr. Brennand, from whom he purchased it, and is described 

 as " most loving and affectionate," which I believe is usually 

 the case. Although this peculiar colour is very beautiful 

 and scarce, I am of opinion that the light gray or fawn 

 colour with black and well-marked muzzle, ears, and legs is 

 the typical variety, the markings being the same as the 

 Himalayan rabbits. There are cavies so marked ; and many 

 years ago I saw a mouse similarly coloured. Mr. Young 

 informs me that the kittens he has bred from his dark variety 

 have invariably come the usual gray or light dun colour with 

 dark points. I therefore take that to be the correct form and 

 colour, and the darker colour to be an accidental deviation. 

 In pug-dogs such a depth of colour would be considered a 

 blemish, however beautiful it might be ; even black pugs do 

 not obtain prizes in competition with a true-marked light 

 dun ; but whatever colour the body is it should be clear and 

 firm, rich and not clouded in any way. But I give Mr. 

 Young's own views : 



" The dun Siamese we have has won whenever 



