/> nor clear and distinct; the ground colour was wanting in that depth and

richness possessed by the Persian, having a somewhat dull appearance.

The eyes were large and prominent, of a bright orange, slightly tinted

with green, the ears large by comparison, with small tufts, full of

long, woolly hair, the limbs stout and short, the tail being very

dissimilar, as it was short, very woolly, and thickly covered with hair

the same length from the base to the tip, and much resembled in form

that of the English wild cat. Its motion was not so agile as other cats,

nor did it apparently care for warmth, as it liked being outdoors in the

coldest weather. Another peculiarity being that it seemed to care little

in the way of watching birds for the purpose of food, neither were its

habits like those of the short-haired cats that were its companions. It

attached itself to no person, as was the case with some of the others,

but curiously took a particular fancy to one of my short-haired,

silver-gray tabbies; the two appeared always together. In front of the

fire they sat side by side. If one left the room the other followed.

Adown the garden paths there they were, still companions; and at night

slept in the same box; they drank milk from the same saucer, and fed

from the same plate, and, in fact, only seemed to exist for each other.

In all my experience I never knew a more devoted couple. I bred but one

kitten from the Russian, and this was the offspring of the short-haired

silver tabby. It was black-and-white, and resembled the Russian in a

large degree, having a woolly coat, somewhat of a mane, and a short,

very bushy tail. This, like his father, seemed also to be fonder of

animals for food than birds, and, although very small, would without any

hesitation attack and kill a full-grown rat. I have seen several Russian

cats, yet never but on this occasion had the opportunity of comparing

their habits and mode of life with those of the other varieties; neither

have I seen any but those of a tabby colour, and they mostly of a dark

brown. I am fully aware that many cross-bred cats are sold as Russian,

Angora, and Persian, either between these or the short-haired, and some

of these, of course, retain in large degree the distinctive

peculiarities of each breed. Yet to the practised eye there is

generally--I do not say always--a difference of some sort by which the

particular breed may be clearly defined. When the prizes are given, as

is the case even at our largest cat shows, for the best long-haired cat,

there, of course, exists in the eye of the judge no distinction as

regards breed. He selects, as he is bound to do, that which is the best

long-haired cat in all points, the length of hair, colour, texture,

and condition of the exhibit being that which commands his first

attention. But if it were so put that the prize should be for the best

Angora, Persian, Russian, etc., it would make the task rather more than

difficult, for I have seen some "first-cross cats" that have possessed

all, or nearly all, the points requisite for that of the Angora,

Persian, or Russian, while others so bred have been very deficient,

perhaps showing the Angora cross only by the tail and a slight and small

frill. At the same time it must be noted, that, although from time to

time some excellent specimens may be so bred, it is by no means

desirable to buy and use such for stock purposes, for they will in all

probability "throw back"--that is, after several generations, although

allied with thoroughbred, they will possibly have a little family of

quite "short-hairs." I have known this with rabbits, who, after breeding

short-haired varieties for some time, suddenly reverted to a litter of

"long-hairs"; but have not carried out the experiment with cats. At the

same time I may state that I have little or no doubt that such would be

the case; therefore I would urge on all those who are fond of cats--or,

in fact, other animals--of any particular breed, to use when possible

none but those of the purest pedigree, as this will tend to prevent much

disappointment that might otherwise ensue. But I am digressing, and so

back to my subject--the Russian long-haired cat. I advisedly say

long-haired cat, for I shall hereafter have to treat of other cats

coming from Russia that are short-haired, none which I have hitherto

seen being tabbies, but whole colour. This is the more singular as all

those of the long-hair have been brown tabbies, with only one or two

exceptions, which were black. It is just possible these were the

offspring of tabby or gray parents, as the wild rabbit has been known to

have had black progeny. I have seen a black rabbit shot from amongst the

gray on the South Downs.






I do not remember having seen a white Russian "long-hair," and I should

feel particularly obliged to any of my readers who could supply me with

further information on this subject, or on any other relating to the

various breeds of cats, cat-life and habits. I am fully aware that no

two cats are exactly alike either in their form, colour, movements, or

habits; but what I have given much study and attention to, and what I

wish to arrive at is, the broad existing natural distinctions of the

different varieties. In this way I shall feel grateful for any

information.






The above engraving and description of a very peculiar animal is from

Daniel's "Rural Sports," 1813:



"This Cat was the Property of Mrs. Finch, of Maldon, Essex. In the

Account of this Lusus Naturae, for such it may be deemed, the Mother

had no other Likeness to her Production, than her Colour, which is a

tawny Sandy, in some parts lightly streaked with black; She had

this, and another Kitten like it, about two Years since. The fellow

Kitten was killed, in consequence of being troublesome, to the Mistress

of the House, where it was presented. This is a Male, above the

usual Size, with a shaggy Appearance round its Face, resembling that

of the Lion's, in Miniature. The Hair protruding from the Ears,

formerly grew, like what are termed Cork-screw Curls, and which are

frequently seen, among the smart young Watermen, on the Thames; the

Tail is perfectly distinct, from that of the Cat Species, and resembles

the Brush of a Fox. The Mother, has at this time (1813), three Young

ones, but without the least Difference to common Kittens, neither,

indeed, has she ever had any before, or since, similar to That here

described. The Proprietor has been offered, and refused One Hundred

Pounds for this Animal."






This was either a cross with the English wild cat, which sometimes has a

mane, or it was an accidental variation of nature. I once bred a

long-haired rabbit in a similar way, but at first I failed entirely to

perpetuate the peculiarity. I think the above simply "a sport."











I have now concluded my remarks on the long-haired varieties of cats

that I am at present acquainted with. They are an exceedingly

interesting section; their habits, manners, forms, and colours form a by

no means unprofitable study for those fond of animal life, as they, in

my opinion, differ in many ways from those of their "short-haired"

brethren. I shall not cease, however, in my endeavours to find out if

any other long-haired breeds exist, and I am, therefore, making

inquiries in every direction in which I deem it likely I shall get an

increase of information on the subject, but hitherto without any

success. Therefore, I am led to suppose that the three I have

enumerated are the only domesticated long-haired varieties. The nearest

approach, I believe, to these in the wild state is that of the British

wild cat, which has in some instances a mane and a bushy tail, slightly

resembling that of the Russian long-hair, with much of the same facial

expression, and rather pointed tufts at the apex of the ears. It is also

large, like some of the "long-haired" cats that I have seen; in fact, it

far more resembles these breeds than those of the short hair. I was much

struck with the many points of similitude on seeing the British wild cat

exhibited by the Duke of Sutherland at the first cat show at the Crystal

Palace in July, 1871. I merely offer this as an idea for further

consideration. At the same time, allow me to say that I have had no

opportunity of studying the anatomy of the British wild cat, in

contradistinction to that of the Russian, or others with long hair. I

only wish to point out what I term a general resemblance, far in excess

of those with short hair. I am fully aware how difficult it is to trace

any origin of the domestic cat, or from what breeds; it is also said,

that the British wild cat is not one of them, still I urge there exists

the similarity I mention; whether it is so apparent to others I know

not.