THE SHORT-HAIRED CAT 219 



as a black cat with a white head and tail ; a blue cat 

 with similar misplaced markings ; a yellow cat without 

 Tabby markings or white ; a smoke cat marked like a 

 black and white ; a white cat with one or more spots 

 of Tabby markings ; or a cat all tortoiseshell except a 

 white head and tail, all of which, in the general way, 

 would be eligible for entry in this class. 



I have just mentioned a few of the variations, most of 

 which I have occasionally seen, but of course there are 

 many others possible to arise, particularly with an animal 

 like the cat, which in probably the majority of cases is 

 left pretty much to its own devices in the way of mating, 

 and consequently the variations in the colour of the 

 offspring are many and great. 



In dealing with such a mixed class as suggested, the 

 judge should endeavour to select for prizes those 

 coming nearest in formation and colour to what the 

 variety it misrepresented should be, but these are 

 always unsatisfactory classes, both for judges and 

 exhibitors. 



I have set forth my views, and given the result of my 

 experience, on some of the matters connected with 

 exhibition cats, which I venture to hope may be of 

 some assistance, at least to novices amongst my fellow 

 fanciers ; and if they are the means of calling up or 

 increasing interest in the domestic cat, of whose intelli- 

 gence, affection and many good qualities I have a high 

 opinion, one of my objects in penning these sketches 

 will be attained. 



