CHAPTER XX 



THE LONG-HAIRED CHINCHILLA CAT 



No doubt, the ideal for cats of this colour is the 

 beautiful little animal known as the Chinchilla, a 

 rodent closely allied to the Rabbit tribe, and a native 

 of South America, whose fur has been for many years 

 an article of commerce ; I think almost entirely used 

 for trimmings to female attire, in these and other 

 countries, and probably many of my readers have 

 often seen the graceful little animals in zoological 

 collections, or museums, and so will not require to be 

 told that its fur may be said to be composed of very 

 soft hair, of shades of a delicate grey, interspersed with 

 some black hairs, which give it the effect of a slight 

 ticking on the surface, with lighter shades under- 

 neath. 



I need not say that cats of this colour, correctly 

 coloured, are very beautiful creatures, perhaps equal to, 

 if not superior than, any others, and they have of late 

 years been much in vogue with exhibitors. 



The head is not large, though typical in shape. 



The ears also are small, and almost merged in hair 

 of neck and head. 



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