SIZE OF CATS. 
3T 
Sir Walter Scott at least. “ How large are 
domestic cats generally?” he asked. 
“ The medium length is said to be about 
two feet nine inches, measuring from the tip 
of the nose to the end of the tail; but it 
varies a good deal in different individuals. 
Our Maltese cat Sam—which was the largest 
cat I ever saw—measured twenty-one inches 
exclusive of his tail. This kitten, which I 
should say was about two-thirds grown, is 
fifteen inches long, exclusive of her tail, 
which is nine inches more.” 
“How did you find out, aunt?” asked 
Sidney. 
“I measured her with my yard ribbon,” 
answered Miss "Winston; “and very indig¬ 
nant she was at the liberty. As the common 
cat possesses nearly all the traits of the genus 
Felis, we may as well describe them in con¬ 
nection with her. All the animals of the 
family possess a smooth fur, which is some¬ 
times nearly uniform in colour, but often 
beautifully marked and variegated by dark 
and black spots. Their muscles are well 
developed, especially those of the fore-part 
of the body, so that they are exceedingly 
strong in proportion to their size. A cat 
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