2 66 



THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 



any kind of bird with the feathers on, or 

 fowls' heads and mice. The fur and feathers 

 act as a mechanical vermifuge. If the Siam- 

 ese cats are coddled, they will certainly die. 

 They have naturally rather delicate lungs, and 

 for these fresh air is absolutely necessary ; 

 a close, hot atmosphere and heated rooms 

 are fatal." 



Mrs. Carew Cox I have alluded to as one of 

 the pioneers of the Siamese fancy, and she 



penetrating eyes appear to see so far and so 

 much, whose intelligence seems almost human, 

 and who seldom stay with us for long. Unfor- 

 tunately, these cats are difficult to rear, the 

 constant damp of our climate affecting their 

 lungs and producing frequent colds and coughs, 

 lowering vitality and causing debility. 



" There are two recognised varieties of this 

 breed- the royal and the chocolate. The 

 former is certainly the most beautiful in appear- 



"MAFEKIXG. 



THE PROPERTY OF MRS. VyvyAN. 

 (Photo: E. Lamtor, Baling.) 



still remains an ardent admirer of this breed, 

 and often acts as judge. She has kindly 

 written a very valuable article specially for 

 this work, and I have therefore great pleasure 

 in giving her interesting experience in this 

 chapter on Siamese : 



" Only those who possess Siamese can under- 

 stand how reluctantly a lover of this breed 

 takes up a pen to endeavour to do justice to its 

 characteristics it is like attempting the impos- 

 sible. One feels one must step softly so to 

 speak in the presence of these wonderfully 

 fascinating creatures, whose thoughtful yet 



ance, the seal-brown points sometimes black 

 in adults relieving the pale but rich cream 

 colour of the rest of the body, and the brown 

 mask forming a grand setting for the superbly 

 blue eyes. The mask on the face should circle 

 well above the eyes, but should not extend 

 into the ear space ; the cream colour should 

 be in evidence beyond the circle ; the cars 

 should be seal and well and distinctly put on 

 i.e. the seal or brown should not merge into 

 the cream ; the legs, feet, and tail should be 

 of the same shade of seal, the darker the 

 better. The tail of a Siamese cat has been 



