354 THE VETERINARY “DOCTOR. 
the blood of all chance mongrel breeds, which have “shifted for them- 
selves,” and have had no protection against bad weather, bad food, bad 
dogs and worse boys. Heredity is as well defined in cats as in other ani- 
mals, and good or bad habits will not only be transmitted, but may be con- 
firmed or corrected by education. No more will this pet be agreeable and 
prized without training than others, nor will others more readily and’ fully 
reward one for the pains that he may bestow. 
VARIETIES. 
The varieties most sought as pets are tne Angora (also called Angola, 
because some think that it originated in Angola, in Africa, instead of 
Angora, in Asia Minor); the Persian; the Chinese; the Spanish, or Tor- 
toise Shell; the Chartreuse, or Blue; the Manx; and the Tabby. 
The Angora is the most beautiful of all. It is large, and has long, 
silky fur, and a gorgeous, brush-like tail. It is generally perfectly white, 
but may be a pale-yellow, or almost olive-colored. Whatever the color, it 
is pretty, gentle and delicate. , 
The Persian is “ beautiful in luster and color of its skin. It is a gray- 
blue, and as soft and shining as silk. The tail is of great length and cov- 
ered with hair six inches long, which the animal throws over its back after 
the manner of a squirrel.” The hair on the neck is also very long, and 
the color is said to be sometimes pure white. 
The Chinese, which some claim is not properly a cat, is rather above 
the ordinary size, has fine, glossy fur, and hanging ears. 
The Spanish, or Tortoise Shell, is white, black and reddish-brown 
mixed, and is very elegant in form. 
The Chartreuse, or Blue, has long slate-colored fur, and a bushy neck 
and tail. This is perhaps what is popularly known as the Maltese. 
The Manx has long, slim legs, close-set fur, staring, restless eyes, and 
no tail, there being only a knob in its stead. It is an unearthly looking 
creature, and “might fitly be the quadrupedal form in which the ancient 
sorcerers were wont to clothe themselves on their nocturnal excursions.” 
There seems to be little doubt that some animals presented at cat-shows as 
specimens of the Manx are really common cats with the tails cut off In- 
deed, not a few even yet say that the Manx is a myth, though some high 
authorities do not question its existence. 
The Tabby is striped, like waved or watered silk, and may have any 
of a variety of colors. In technical language, we apply this name to those 
that have such marking, but it is popularly used for any grown cat. 
In addition to the above, mixed breeds in great variety present almost 
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