INTRODUCTORY xix 



speedily replaced the unsatisfactory marten for 

 hunting small rodents, and in this capacity grew 

 more and more in public favour. 



In our own country the wild cat was found till 

 within four centuries or so back, and even later in 

 some of the wilder districts, say of Cumberland, 

 Caithness, and North- Wales. Any now found in a 

 wild state are probably such as have reverted from a 

 tame to a wild condition, though disputed by many. 



In markings, it varied but little from the tame 

 pussy, but was of superior size* and strength, and 

 had a larger head, whilst its tail was shorter and 

 thicker and of uniform thickness throughout. It 

 generally had a black streak down the middle of 

 its back and tail. The limbs are ornamented with 

 regular dark rings. It is highly probable that as 

 the domesticated Eastern cat was brought or 

 spread from Persia or India into Asia Minor, 

 the Balkan Peninsula, it interbred with the wild 

 variety, and in this way originated the different 

 varieties of the domestic cat existing as we know it 

 to-day. 



With the introduction of firearms, the days of 

 the wild cat were numbered, its existence being 

 incompatible with the advancing civilization. 



Formerly, most European cats were of the short- 

 haired variety, but these in recent times have been 

 frequently crossed with the Persian, or long-haired 

 breed. 



