THE CAT. 241 



tures, but which is supposed to be almost un- 

 known among mammals. 



My attention was first turned to this subject 

 by noticing that when a very fine tabby which I 

 possess was curled up asleep, the dark bands 

 arranged themselves in concentric circles, or rather 

 in a closely set spiral, strongly suggesting the 

 appearance of a coiled serpent ; and the resem- 

 blance was further increased by a dark oval 

 blotch in the centre of the coil where the head of 

 the snake should be. When the cat got up, the 

 snake-like aspect disappeared ; the coils became 

 the well-known curved bands running along the 

 sides and down the thighs of the animal, and the 

 dark spot which had formed the "snake's head" 

 was shown upon the flank. After first noticing 

 this peculiarity, I made it a habit for some time 

 carefully to observe the markings upon tabby 

 cats of this type, and I found that, although 

 these differed somewhat on different animals, in 

 all cases they showed the same tendency to fall 

 into concentric curves with a dark oval blotch in 

 the centre whenever the usual sleeping attitude 

 was assumed. More extended observation brought 

 to light certain kindred facts which it is difficult 



Q 



