CHAPTER XXIV 



THE SMOKE-COLOURED SHORT-HAIRED CAT 



THIS, which is not to be confounded with the Russian 

 Blue, to which at first sight it bears some little resem- 

 blance, is by no means a very common variety. 



I have had several specimens at different times, and 

 am rather partial to them. 



They nearly always, as far as I have noticed, have 

 some faint Tabby markings on the body, so much so that 

 I know they are called by some people Black Tabbies, and 

 it is quite possible they originated from the mating of a 

 Black and a Blue, but I think they are now an established 

 variety, although they never have classes provided for 

 them at any shows I have attended, and I have always 

 exhibited mine in the Any Other Variety Short Hairs, 

 and never, I think, without gaining honours with 

 them. 



Although I am sure some of this variety have been 

 produced by the union of other colours, I think two 

 Smokes may be relied on to reproduce their own shade of 

 coat, and I am rather surprised they have not received 

 more encouragement. 



184 



