244 OUR HUMBLE HELPERS 



one of the most widely diffused, that the original 

 feline characteristics are the best preserved, that is 

 to say those of the gloved cat of Abyssinia. The 

 Spanish cat has rather short and brightly colored 

 fur, the balls of the feet, the lips, and the nose red, 

 the front of the neck light-colored. Its coat is gen- 

 erally spotted with irregular patches of pure white, 

 black, and bright red. But, singularly enough, the 

 three colors are never found united except in the 

 female; the male is limited to two colors at most, 

 generally white and red." 



"Then every cat with three colors to its fur is a 

 she-cat?" asked Jules. 



"So far I have met with no exception to this 

 strange rule." 



"It is very queer, that unequal division of colors 

 three for the Tabby and only two at most for the 

 Tom-cat. Other animals show nothing of the sort." 



"The Angora cat forms a third variety. It is a 

 magnificent animal, of majestic carriage, with silky 

 and very long hair, especially around the neck, un- 

 der the stomach, and on the tail. But its qualities 

 do not equal the fineness of its fur. The Angora is 

 the friend of sweet idleness, fond of prolonged 

 siestas in drawing-room arm-chairs. Do not try to 

 make it watch patiently for a mouse in the garret. 

 Pampered by its mistress, assured of its saucer of 

 milk, it finds the business of hunting too arduous. 

 Repose and caresses and a soft bed are its lot. That 

 is all I have to say about this lazy-bones. 



"Let us pass on to the cat's weapons, its teeth 



