98 MA TING. 



colours or markings by which he wishes to produce, if pos- 

 sible, perfection ; and, having done so, he must provide 

 himself with such stock as, on being mated, are likely to 

 bring such progeny as will enable him in due time to attain 

 the end he has in view. This being gained, he must also pre- 

 pare himself for many disappointments, which are the more 

 likely to accrue from the reason that, in all probability, he 

 starts without any knowledge of the ancestry or pedigree of 

 the animals with which he begins his operations. Therefore, 

 for this reason, he has to gain his knowledge of any aptitude 

 for divergence from the ordinary or the common they may 

 exhibit, or which his practical experience discovers, and 

 thus, as it were, build up a family with certain points and 

 qualities before he can actually embark in the real business 

 of accurately matching and crossing so as to produce the 

 results which, by a will, undeviating perseverance, and 

 patience, he is hoping to gain eventually — the perfection he 

 so long, ardently, and anxiously seeks to acquire ; but he 

 must bear in mind that that, on which he sets his mark, though 

 high, must come within the limits and compass of that which 

 is attainable, for it is not the slightest use to attempt that 

 which is not within the charmed circle of possibilities. 



TORTOISESHELLS. 



I PLACE these first on the list because, being an old pigeon 

 fancier and somewhat of a florist, I deem these to be the 

 breed wherein there is the most art and skill required to 

 produce properly all the varied mottled beauty of bright 

 colours that a cat of this breed should possess ; and those 

 who have bred tortoiseshells well know how difficult a task 

 it is. 



In breeding for this splendid, gorgeous, and diversified 

 arrangement of colouring, a black, or even a blue, may be 

 used with a yellow or red tabby female, or a white male, 

 supposing either or both were the offspring of a tortoiseshell 



