298 



THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 



world, however, are undoubtedly derived from 

 the smaller wild cats of the- countries in ques- 

 tion. Thus it is probable that several varieties 

 have a share in the creation of the Indian 

 domestic cats, of which Blyth distinguished 

 two varieties. The fulvous variety he con- 

 sidered to be derived from the Indian jungle 

 cat (F. chaus), a fulvous cat which in its high 

 legs, shorter tail, and slightly tufted ears 

 and it is worthy of note that some of the best 

 Abyssinians have large and slightly tufted ears 

 marks the approach to the lyncine group. 

 The spotted kinds he traces to the leopard cat, 

 the desert cat, and the rusty-spotted cat. 



A most extraordinary variety, of which next 

 to nothing appears to be known, is the hairless 

 cat, and we cannot do better than quote in 

 extenso the description given by the owner of 

 what, if his surmise should unhappily prove 

 to be correct, was the last pair of these peculiar 

 animals, a portrait of which we give. 



Albuquerque, New Mexico, 



February ^rd, 1902. 

 MR. H. C. BROOKE. 



Dear Sir, Yours of January aoth is at hand. In 

 answer would say my hairless cats are brother and 

 sister. I got them from the Indians a few miles from 

 this place. The old Jesuit Fathers tell me they are 

 the last of the Aztec breed known only in New Mexico. 

 I have found them the most intelligent and affection- 

 ate family pets I have ever met in the cat line ; they 

 are the quickest inaction and smartest cats I have ever 

 seen. They are fond of a warm bath, and love to 

 sleep under the clothes at night with our little girl. 

 They seem to understand nearly everything that is 

 said to them ; but I have never had time to train 

 them. They are marked exactly alike with mouse- 

 coloured backs ; with neck, stomach, and legs a, 

 delicate flesh tint. Their bodies are always warm 

 and soft as a child's. They love to be fondled and 

 caressed, and are very playful ; will run up and down 

 your body and around your waist like a flash. 

 " Nellie " weighs about eight pounds, and " Dick " 

 weighed ten pounds ; but I am sorry to say we have 

 lost " Dick." We have never allowed them to go 

 out of the house, as the dogs would be after them. 

 They were very fond of our water spaniel, and would 

 sleep with her, " Dick "~was a sly rascal, and would 

 steal out. One night last year he stole out, and the 

 dogs finished him. His loss was very great, as I may 

 never replace him. The Chicago Cat Club valued 

 them at 1,000 dollars each. They were very anxious 



for me to come on with them for their cat shows, but 

 I could not go. They were never on exhibition ; as 

 this is a small city, I feared they would be stolen. I 

 have made every endeavour to get another mate for 

 " Nellie," but have not been successful. I never 

 allowed them to mate, as they were brother and 

 sister, and I thought it might alter " Nellie's " beau- 

 tiful form, which is round and handsome, with body 

 rather long. In winter they have a light fur on back 

 and ridge of tail, which falls off in warm weather. 

 They stand the cold weather same as other cats. They 

 are not like the hairless dogs, whose hide is solid and 

 tough ; they are soft and delicate, with very loose skin. 

 " Nellie " has a very small head, large amber eyes, 

 extra long moustache and eyebrows ; her voice now 

 is a good baritone, when young it sounded exactly 

 like a child's. They have great appetites, and are 

 quite dainty eaters fried chicken and good steak is 

 their choice. Have never been sick an hour. The 

 enclosed faded picture is the only one I have at 

 present ; it is very lifelike, as it shows the wrinkles 

 in its fine, soft skin. " Dick " was a very powerful 

 cat ; could whip any dog alone ; his courage, no 

 doubt, was the cause of his death. He always was 

 the boss over our dogs; I have priced " Nellie " at 

 300 dollars. She is too valuable a pet for me to keep 

 in a small town. Many wealthy ladies would value 

 her at her weight in gold if they knew what a very 

 rare pet she is. I think in your position she would 

 be a very good investment to exhibit at cat shows 

 and other select events, as she doubtless is the only 

 hairless cat now known. I have written to Old 

 Mexico and all over this country without finding 

 another. I would like to have her in some large 

 museum, where she would interest and be appreciated 

 by thousands of people. Trusting this will reach you 

 in safety, I am, very truly yours, F. J. SHINICK. 



We can only add, whilst deeply regretting 

 that Mr. Shinick did not mate his cats, the 

 earnest hope that we may hear that he has 

 discovered the existence of other specimens. 

 Should it prove that a parcel of street curs 

 are responsible for this curious variety becom- 

 ing extinct, even such confirmed dog lovers as 

 ourselves are almost tempted to acquiesce in 

 a universal and everlasting muzzling order ! 

 It is to be regretted that no information is given 

 as to whether the dentition of these cats was 

 abnormal and imperfect, as is the case with 

 the Mexican hairless dogs. 



Very curious and handsome is the Indian 

 cat " Indischer Fiirst," exhibited by Mrs. H. 

 C. Brooke. His most striking peculiarities 



