The Book of Cats. 103 



greens, and broad beans (in moderation). Most 

 Cats are fond of asparagus. 



The Persian Cat is a variety with hair very 

 long, and very silky, perhaps more so than the Cat 

 of Angora ; it is however differently coloured, 

 being of a fine uniform grey on the upper part, 

 with the texture of the fur as soft as silk, and the 

 lustre glossy ; the colour fades off on the lower parts 

 of the sides, and passes into white, or nearly so, on 

 the belly. This is, probably, one of the most beau- 

 tiful varieties, and it is said to be exceedingly gentle 

 in its manners. 



The Chinese Cat has the fur beautifully glossed, 

 but it is very different from either of those which 

 have been mentioned. It is variegated with black 

 and yellow, and, unlike most of the race, has the 

 ears pendulous. Bosman, writing about the ears, 

 says : " It is worthy of observ^ation, that there is in 

 animals evident signs of ancestry of their slavery. 

 Long ears are produced by time and civilization, 

 and all wild animals have straight round ears." 



The Tortoise-shell or Spanish Cat is one of the 

 prettiest varieties of those which have the fur of 

 moderate length, and without any particular silvery 

 gloss. The colours are very pure, black, white, and 

 reddish orange ; and, in this country, at least, males 



