Tlie Cat 21 



rendered tame by education. This opinion is, however 

 now doubted, on the ground that the tail of the wild 

 Cat is thick and bushy, like that of a fox, while that of 

 the domestic Cat tapers to the point. The Cat of the 

 Egyptians, of which so many mummies have been 

 found, differed still more in this respect, as its tail was 

 long and slender, ending in a kind of tuft. There are 

 four or five distinct varieties of the domestic Cat : the 

 tabby, the tortoise-shell, the Chartreuse, and the 

 Angora. Of these the tabby bears most resemblance to 

 the wild Cat, and the black Cats are from this breed : 

 the tortoise-shell is said to have been brought from 

 Spain, the females of this race being generally of a pure 

 tortoise-shell, and the males buff', with stripes of a 

 darker hue. All the white and whitish Cats are de- 

 scended from the Chartreuse breed; they have all a 

 blue tinge in their fur, and reddish eyelids : the tailless 

 Cats of Cornwall and the Isle of Man belong to this 

 race. The Angoras are quite distinct, and are well 

 known by their long silky hair. Cats are fond of 

 warmth, and are generally affected by changes in the 

 weather. They are very affectionate, purring at the 

 sight of those who are kind to them ; and will curve up 

 their backs and rub themselves against a door when it 

 is opened for them, as if to thank the kind friend who 

 has done them this service, before they take advantage 

 of it. The female Cat has generally five or six kittens 

 at a time, which she carries about in her mouth, and 

 hides, when she thinks them in danger. When a Cat is 

 enraged, its hair stands erect, and its tail swells to an 

 enormous size. Cats fight savagely, and often tear the 

 skin off each other's necks : when two are about to fight, 

 they stand for some time looking at each other, growl- 

 ing, and then dart at each other with the greatest fury, 

 yelling with rage. 



Most Cats are good mousers, and some bring every- 

 thing they kill to their master or mistress, displaying 

 their mice and rats with as much pride as a sportsman 

 would his game. They are very fond of catmint and 

 valerian, rolling themselves in a kind of ecstacy when 

 they smell the latter plant. They are very cleanly, 



