174 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



of the sexes, and while the males are fairly big cats, the 

 females are mostly on the small side. 



The head should not be large or coarse, fairly short 

 in face, not pinched in muzzle, and with rounded cheeks. 



The ears of medium size, narrow and rounded at top, 

 broader below. 



The eyes round shaped, rather full and brilliant, very 

 intelligent in expression, deep bright yellow in colour. 



Legs and feet longish, fine in bone, and feet small 

 and neat. 



Body rather long in barrel and flat in sides, fairly deep 

 in chest, but not wide across shoulders. 



Tail longish, but not too thin. 



Coat, short, fine, glossy, and soft feeling. 



Condition and general appearance, firm and compact, 

 with no superfluous flesh, muscular and lithe, giving 

 promise of great vivacity of temperament and activity. 



Size, perhaps twelve pounds would be a high average 

 for males, and about eight pounds for females. I have 

 seen males of this colour closely approaching twenty 

 pounds, but in all such cases they have lost by being 

 coarse, and were generally fat ; but I never remember 

 seeing a female exceeding ten pounds, and I am sure 

 they rarely come up to that weight. 



I should perhaps add that where so many Silver 

 Tabbies fail is in their ground colour not being clear and 

 pure, free from any tint, and the black markings not 

 intense enough. 



I have left the speaking of the desired colour to the 

 last ; the ground should be a sort of pale lavender shade of 



