io6 MATING, 



of a coarse description, and harsh in coat by comparison. 

 I think the blue-eyed white are a distinct breed from the 

 common ordinary white cat, nor do I remember any such 

 being bred from those with eyes of yellow colour. 



ABYSSINIAN. 



To breed these true, it is well to procure imported or 

 pedigree stock, for many cats are bred in England from 

 ordinary tabbies, that so nearly resemble Abyssinian in 

 colour as scarcely to be distinguished from the much-prized 

 foreigners. The males are generally of a darker colour than 

 the females, and are mostly marked with dark-brown bands 

 on the forehead, a black band along the back which ends at 

 the tip of the tail, with which it is annulated. The ticking 

 should be of the truest kind, each hair being of three 

 distinct colours, blue, yellow, or red, and black at the points, 

 the cushions of the feet black, and back of the hind-legs. 

 Choose a female, with either more red or yellow, the 

 markings being the same, and, with care in the selection, 

 there will be some very brilliant specimens. Eyes bright 

 orange-yellow. 



ABYSSINIAN CROSSES. 



Curiously coloured as the Abyssinian cat is, and being a 

 true breed, no doubt of long far back ancestry, it is most 

 useful in crossing with other varieties, even with the Persian, 

 Russian, Angora, or the Archangel, the ticking hues being 

 easy of transmission, and is then capable of charming and 

 delightful tints, with breadths of beautiful mottled or grizzled 

 colouring, if judiciously mated. The light tabby Persian, 

 matched with a female Abyssinian, would give unexpected 

 surprises, so with the dark blue Archangel; a well-ticked blue 

 would not only be a novelty, but an elegant colour hitherto 

 unseen. A deep red tabby might result in a whole colour, 

 bright red, or a yellow tint. I have seen a cat nearly black 



