The Cat 21 
rendered tame by education. This opinion is, however, 
now doubted, on the ground that the tail of the wild 
Cat is thick and bushy, like that of a fox, while that oi 
the domestic Cat tapers to the point. The Cat of the 
Egyptians, of which so many mummies have been 
found, differed still more in this respect, as its tail was 
long and slender, ending in a kind of tuft. There are 
four or five distinct varieties of the domestic Cat : the 
tabby, the tortoise-shell, the Chartreuse, and the 
Angora. Of these the tabby bears most resemblance to 
the wild Cat, and the black Cats are from this breed : 
the tortoise-shell is said to have been brought from 
Spain, the females of this race being generally of a pure 
tortoise-shell, and the males buff, with stripes of a 
darker hue. All the white and whitish Cats are de- 
scended from the Chartreuse breed; they have all a 
blue tinge in their fur, and reddish eyelids : the tailless 
Cats of Cornwall and the Isle of Man belong to this 
race. The Angoras are quite distinct, and are well 
known by their long silky hair. Cats are fond of 
warmth, and are generally affected by changes in the 
weather. They are very affectionate, purring at the 
sight of those who are kind to them ; and will curve up 
their backs and rub themselves against a door when it 
is opened for them, as if to thank the kind friend who 
has done them this service, before they take advantage 
of it. The female Cat has generally five or six kittens 
at a time, which she carries about in her mouth, and 
hides, when she thinks them in danger. When a Cat is 
enraged, its hair stands erect, and its tail swells to an 
enormous size. Cats fight savagely, and often tear the 
skin off each other's necks : when two are about to fight, 
they stand for some time looking at each other, growl- 
ing, and then dart at each other with the greatest fury, 
yelling with rage. 
Most Cats are good mousers, and some bring every- 
thing they kill to their master or mistress, displaying 
their mice and rats with as much pride as a sportsman 
would his game. They are very fond of catmint and 
valerian, rolling themselves in a kind of ecstacy when 
they smell the latter plant. They are very cleanly, 
