The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-30
EvoIUT1oN N ooNNEcrIcUr.
Its Effect Upon the Dogs and Cats of thai
Commonwealth.
New Haven Letter.

commonwealth
New Haven Letter.
Evolution, in the matter Of dogs and cats,
seems to be making rapid progress in this State.
New Haveners have gazed with a sort OF affec-
tlonate pride for a couple of years upon a good
sized black and tan rat-terrier, owned by John
Lyons. 1t is one of the chief attractions Of his
Broadway establishment. The terrier is re-
markable from the fact that he was born with
three legs, one hin leg being missing. Notwith-
standing this omission the dog gets around as
lively as any of his companions, and is remsrka-
bic for his skill as a rat-catcher.
New London now comes to the front with a
dog of the same breed, beside which New
Haven's pet pales into insignifcance. The ami
NAL is owned by Mrs. Gavitti proprietor of the
Bacon House, in that city. It has but two legs
the fore legs being entirely wanting. The dog
does not seem to miss them, however, but Jumps
around the hotel, an object Of great curiosity,
and the pet of the loungers in the barroom.
The dog jumps about with that questionable
grace which attaches to the movements of q
kangaroo. In fact it more nearly resembles
a diminutive specimen OF that "amoosin,
little cuss" than a dog. But it is a dog, pure
and simple. Remarkable STOKES are told of the
rat-catchlng qualities OF this peculiar canine,
and they are vouched for as trIe, as a matter Of
course. Those who have seenthe dog kill a rat
turned loose from a trap for the amusement Of
q crowd assert that he catches the rat as he
would had he been provided withthe usual num-
Der of legs. That is, the diminutiSe stumps that
protrude a very short distance from the points
where forelegs ought to have grown serve to
hold the rat while the dogs sharp teeth squeeze
ont the life of the rodent
Bowed down with shame as New Haveners are,
by the superior evolution in dogs shown in New
London, they find cause for rejoicing in the pos
session of a most extraordinary cat. This cat
inhabits o wooden building at the corner of st.
John aud Olive street. 1t is owned by a German
harnesSInaker, who is filed with pride by the
performances of his wonderful feline. s.Tom,n
for that is the cats name. came into the world
with but two legs. Nature forgot to put any
hind legs on the kitten, though it was supplied
with a liberal allowance of tail-a singular fact,
because the mother is said to have been a
Manx, OF tailless cat. After much
discussion in it's kittenhood, the
proprieIors of the kitten allowed it to
grow to cathood. A visit to the owner Of tk.s
curious specimen revealed the fact that it had
people came to see it. In response to a whistle
the cat came to its masters workroom, bounding
along on its two ~forefeet, with the rear part Of
the body and the tail elevated, respectively, at
angles Of As and IS degrees. It was like an in
verted kangaroo, and is certainly one of the
most curious freaks of the animal king
dom ever seen. The cat didn't seem to
be aware of the peculiar exhibition it was max
ing or of its difference of construction from the
ordinary well regulated cat, Neither was it an
noyed by the roars of laughter its appearance
master down a narrow staircase to the street
The latter performance was a remarkable one,
the cats stern sheets, so to speak, swaying to
and fro with the regularity of the balancing
pole of a tight-rope walker, so that its e~quilibri-
um might be maintained. Like the dogs al
luded TO, the cat is claimed to be a marvel in the
line of rat and mouse catching.