THE CAT TO-DAY 269 



sumption of responsibility may be observed in the 

 shop-keeping pussies of France. These animals 

 are as uniformly courteous as are their human as- 

 sistants who stand behind the counters and sell 

 goods ; but it is plain that they feel the dignity of 

 proprietorship, and are deeply versed in all the mys- 

 teries of trade. 



Cats play an important r61e in our great cold- 

 storage warehouses. It was originally hoped that 

 a temperature of six degrees above zero would 

 prove too severe for vermin ; but rats have that 

 singular adaptability of character with which nature 

 loves to endow the least popular of her creatures. 

 In a few months they were as much at home in 

 the freezing atmosphere as if they had been accus- 

 tomed to it for generations ; and were rearing large 

 families of children, all comfortably clad in coats of 

 double ply. Surrounded by wholesome food, they 

 showed the discretion of their ancient race, scoffed 

 at traps, and avoided poisoned bait. 



It was then suggested that cats might learn to 

 bear the rigours of this bitter cold ; and a few hardy 

 pioneers were chosen to be forever banished from 

 light and warmth, from sunshine and the joyousness 

 of earth. Four fifths of them pined and died, mar- 

 tyrs to unpitying commercialism ; but the great 

 principle which bids the fittest survive, triumphed 

 once more over cruel conditions. Kittens raised in 



