Appendix 



as she was, and I had substituted him for a new-born infant, 

 I caught her trying to close those enormous yellow eyes of 

 his, biting and nipping at them as if she were saying : — 



"You are all right, perhaps, but if you are going to be 

 a baby of mine again, you mustn't open your eyes for nine 

 days to come." 



Strangely enough, although they are extraordinarily fond 

 of catnip when they are well, cats will seldom touch it when 

 they are ill. So that, while this fragrant herb is necessary 

 to keep them in good condition, it is useless to offer it after 

 they have fallen really ill : although a convalescent cat will 

 take to it with good relish. Catnip, however, should be 

 provided occasionally when well, as it acts as a gentle stimu- 

 lus and corrective, and is decidedly a luxury. It is doubt- 

 ful, however, whether an extremely delicate, nervous cat is 

 benefited from its use, if she becomes much intoxicated on 

 it, as some cats do. The plant has a varied effect on cats, 

 some being wildly intoxicated, and others seeming only to 

 enjoy a general sense of comfort and mild exhilaration. 

 The former will roll over and over, striking and catching at 

 everything near by, and scratching and biting all who touch 

 it, in uncontrollable frenzy ; the latter lie down, or sit upon 

 the stalks, after eating the leaves, and purr more or less 

 violently. 



Butter, too, is an excellent corrective for cats. Give them 

 now and then a small piece — say a half-teaspoonfiil ; they 

 like it, and it acts as a gentle laxative, besides keeping the 

 fur in nice condition. A trick some people have when they 

 wish to show their cats, either at exhibitions or to admiring 

 friends at home, is to touch them all over with fresh cream. 

 The cats lap it off, and leave their fur beautifiilly polished. 



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