SLEEPING PLACES. 93 



All cats, as well as other animals, should have ready 

 access to a pan of clear water, which should be changed 

 every day, and the pan cleaned. 



Fresh air, sunlight, and warm sunshine are good, both for 

 cats and their owners. 



It is related of Charles James Fox that, walking up St. 

 James's Street from one of the club-houses with the Prince of 

 Wales, he laid a wager that he would see more cats than 

 the Prince in his walk, and that he might take which side of 

 the street he liked. When they reached the top, it was found 

 that Mr. Fox had seen thirteen cats, and the Prince not one. 

 The Royal personage asked for an explanation of this appa- 

 rent miracle. Mr. Fox said : " Your Royal Highness took, 

 of course, the shady side of the way as most agreeable ; I 

 knew the sunny side would be left for me, and cats always 

 prefer the sunshine ^ 



A most essential requisite for the health of the cat is 

 cleanliness. In itself the animal is particularly so, as may 

 be observed by its constant habit of washing, or cleaning its 

 fur many times a day ; therefore, a clean basket, clean straw, 

 or clean flannel, to lie on — in fact, everything clean is not 

 only necessary, but is a necessity for its absolute comfort. 



Mr. Timbs says : " It is equally erroneous that she is 

 subject to fleas ; the small insect, which infests the half- 

 grown kitten, being a totally different animal, exceedingly 

 swift in running, but not salient or leaping like a flea." 



In this Mr., Timbs slightly errs. Cats do have fleas, but 

 not often, and of a diff'erent kind to the ordinary flea ; but I 

 have certainly seen them jump. 



In dressing the coat of the cat no comb should be used, 

 more especially with the long-haired varieties ; but if so, 

 which I do not recommend, great care should be used not 

 to drag the hair so that it comes out, or breaks, otherwise a 

 rough, uneven coat will and must be the result. 



Should the hair become clotted, matted, or felted, as is 

 sometimes the case, it ought to be moistened, either with 

 oil or soft-soap, a little water being added, and when the 

 application has well soaked in, it will be found comparatively 



