TEE EXPRESSION OF THE EMOTIONS IN THE CAT. 63 



will differ greatly in this respect. "The normal colour," according to Dr. Gray, "seems to be that of the 

 Tabby Cat, grey, with black dorsal streaks and sub-concentric bands on the sides and thighs ; sometimes 

 all black from melanism, or grey, blue, yellow, or white, or these colours more or less mixed. When 

 black, white, and yellow, it is called Tortoiseshell, or Spanish Cat. The fur varies greatly in length ; 

 it is very short, close, and almost erect from the skin in the Rabbit Cats. It is very long, silky, and 

 fluffy in the Angora (or Angola) Cat. The tail is usually long. It is very short or almost entirely 

 wanting in the Isle of Man Cats, or the Japan Cats of Ksempfer. The ears are generally erect ; but 

 they are sometimes pendulous in the Chinese Cats." 



With regard to the colour of Cats, a very curious circumstance has been observed, namely, that 

 White Cats with blue eyes are nearly always deaf ! The only rational explanation of this remarkable 

 phenomenon is that suggested by Mr. Wallace, namely, that the absence of colour in the skin is usually 

 accompanied by a similar absence of pigment elsewhere, and it has been shown that the presence of a 

 peculiar black pigment is very essential to the proper action of the sense organs. To bear out this 

 view it may be stated that Albinos that is, abnormally colourless animals are usually deficient in 

 taste, smell, and sight. 



The eye also varies much in colour, being blue, yellow, or green. The pupil, or small black 

 aperture in the centre of the coloured portion, is extremely sensitive, dilating greatly in the dark, and 

 contracting to a mere line when the light is strong. 



We have already mentioned the skin-muscle, or thin band of flesh lying immediately under the 

 skin, and by means of which the shivering of the skin, the erection or rendering vertical of hairs, &c., 

 is performed. The latter effect an effect seen on a small scale in ourselves as " goose-skin " is well 

 seen in the Cat, for the animal invariably makes its hair stand on end when it is angry or alarmed, 

 and so makes itself look as large and terrible as possible. In the manner of using this muscle, as 

 well as in many other matters, the Cat resembles in a remarkable degree the great beasts of prey, 

 and forms a capital study of feline expression. Every one must have noticed the instantaneous change 

 in the whole demeanour of a Cat when it catches sight of a strange Dog. This and other characteristic 

 attitudes are well described by Mr. Dai-win.* 



" When this animal is threatened by a Dog it arches its back in a surprising manner, erects its 

 hair, opens its mouth, and spits." This well-known attitude " is expressive of terror combined with 

 anger. Anger alone is not often seen, but may be observed when two Cats are fighting together ; and 

 I have seen it well exhibited by a savage Cat whilst plagued by a boy. The attitude is almost exactly 

 the same as that of a Tiger disturbed, and growling over its food, which every one must have beheld in 

 menageries. The animal assumes a crouching position, with the body extended ; and the whole tail, 

 or the tip alone, is lashed or curled from side to side. The hair is not in the least erect. Thus far, 

 the attitude and movements are nearly the same as when the animal is prepared to spiing on its prey, 

 and when, no doubt, it feels savage. But when preparing to fight, there is this difference, that the 

 ears are closely pressed backwards ; the mouth is partially opened, showing the teeth ; the fore-feet 

 are occasionally struck out with protruded claws, and the animal occasionally utters a fierce growl. 

 Let us now look at a Cat in a directly opposite frame of mind, whilst feeling affectionate and caressing 

 her master, and mark how opposite is her attitude in every respect. She now stands upright with her 

 back slightly arched, which makes the hair appear rather rough, but it does not bristle. Her tail, 

 instead of being extended and lashed from side to side, is held quite stiff and perpendicularly upwards ; 

 her ears are erect and pointed ; her mouth is closed, and she rubs against her master with a purr 

 instead of a growl. Let it further be observed how widely different is the whole beai'ing of an 

 affectionate Cat from that of a Dog, when, with his body crouching and flexuous, his tail lowered and 

 wagging, and ears depressed, he caresses his master. 



" We can understand why the attitude assumed by a Cat when preparing to fight with another Cat, 

 or in any way greatly irritated, is so widely different from that of a Dog approaching another with 

 hostile intentions ; for the Cat uses her fore-feet for striking, and this renders a crouching position 

 convenient or necessary. She is also much more accustomed than a Dog to lie concealed and suddenly 

 spring on her prey. No cause can be assigned with certainty for the tail being lashed or curled from 



* "Expression of the Emotions in Men and Animals." 



