78 SIAMESE CATS. 



warm weather before them. Most deaths occur before they 

 are six months old. 



" We have lost several kittens from worms, which they 

 endeavour to vomit ; as relief we give them raw chicken 

 heads, with the feathers on, with success. We also give cod- 

 liver oil, if the appetite fails and weight diminishes. 



"When first born the colour is nearly pure white, the only 

 trace of ' points ' being a fine line of dark gray at the edge 

 of the ears; a gradual alteration takes place, the body becom- 

 ing creamy, the ears, face, tail, and feet darkening, until, 

 about a year old, they attain perfection, when the points 

 should be the deepest brown, nearly black, and the body 

 ash or fawn colour, eyes opal or blue, looking red in the 

 dark. After maturity they are apt to darken considerably, 

 though not in all specimens. 



" They are most interesting and delightful pets. But 

 owing to their delicacy and the great care they require, no 

 one, unless a real cat lover, should attempt to keep them ; 

 they cannot with safety to their health be treated as common 

 cats. 



" During * Susan's ' (one of the cats) illness, the old he- 

 cat came daily to condole with her, bringing delicate ' atten- 

 tions ' in the form of freshly-caught mice. ' Loquat ' also 

 provided this for a young family for whom she had no milk. 



" Another, ' Saiwan,' is very clever at undoing the latch 

 of the window in order to let himself out ; tying it up with 

 string is of no use, and he has even managed to untwist 

 wire that has been used to prevent his going out in the snow. 

 We have at present two males, four adult females, and five 

 kittens." One of our kittens sent t3 Scotland last August, 

 has done well. 



Mrs. Lee, of Penshurst, also has some fine specimens of 

 the breed, and of the same colours as described. I take 

 it, therefore, that the true breed, by consensus of opinion, 

 is that of the dun, fawn, or ash-coloured ground, with 

 black points. Other colours should be shown in the 

 variety classes. 



The head should be long from the ears to the eyes, and 



