Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-04-18

- '.S ~ ''''', anu tne lack therpof "a
the insoluble puzzle to naturalists sin. y
1t has become the fashion to explain eya we
thing by the principles of evolution ~.
theories have been offered--one III, au' IVY
to the limited range and lack Of densa -,
ests the original cats had no use fo. ,a;,.
and consequently they (he tails No, ~
CATS gradually atrophied for lacl, u ~ ~
and became rudimentary; another d.,
the primitive Manx cut off all Their co.,,
tails and in course of time deveIoped ts;I
less breed. One thing is certan-tbe sa,.
are there, and they have no tails.
The high bred Chinese cat il n snlonaa
proof of what may be done BY kindnas.
and culture. If you were to repeat r.
well to do but untraveled Chipsmsn ~
current saying with US that cats are sel1sb
creatures, utterly devoid Of affection h.
would be very much astonished. and II ,hs
owner of a thoroughbred, probably II.
dignant. The Chinese cat appears canabls
of intense attachment to one person and
ages of selection and careful breedira
have brought the species up to bigH
standard. The Chinese claim that one ~
these cats land any cat to some EXTENT ia !,
valuable clock. In the morning the punll
of its eye is broad band; it coDtracts
regularly till noon, when it is mere hair
line, and expands again as regularly ill
night. So when a Chinaman wants IN
know the time of day he picks up his cat
and looks.
The prettiest cat in the world probably
is the royal cat of Siam. 1t is of a beauti.
full fawn color, with a black muzzle and
liquid dark eye, and is of most affection.
ate disposition. For centuries they were
seen nowhere save in the palace Of the 81.
amese king, and to take one away was
capital offense. At length some were
stolen and taken to Europe, but they are
SO delicate, probably as result Of centu.
ries of careful petting, that it is doubtful
If the breed can be perpetuated Many
other fine breeds are known to the public
especially in England, where annual cat
shows have been held for many years.
The United States government is the
proprietor Of some 800 cats, for which
regular allowance is made in the postofice
department. They are distributed among
the larger postoffices, where much mail Is
likely to be stored. They are taught ti
live among the mail sacks, and are fed
only when the supply of rats and mice
runs out. By the way it is a fact not so
well known as it should lie that cats are
unsafe creatures to keep in any part OF
city where all the ground is paved or
otherwise covered by stone or brick. The
instinct of the creature warns him that his
necessities are dangerous to his kind as
well as to human beings, and whenever
possible he improvises an earth closet, out
where this cannot be done the result is I'M
doubtedly bad
This is one of many reasons urged by
that peculiar band Of women who traverse
the streets of New York rescuing homeless
cats. When this band, which now consists
of seven women, was first mentioned ID
the press, the article was thought to be
joke, but they are now recognized section
of the Henry Bergh association. They go
out late at night, each with basket OF
Clipped liver, chickens feet and other rel,
use meat, also II bottle of chloroform anu
some catnip The vagrant cats of the BACK
alleys soon learn their voices, and at Their
call come in joyous groups to roll IN lhe
catnip and feed on the scraps All 'ho
sick and wounded are put to maj steep
with the clloroform. The last report Of
the cat and dog refuge at 7Ui Egn'p
avenue showed that the band is now using
seven gallons of chloroform per month
and in ten months had treated" 4vo'
homeless cats and seventy-one dogs. Ola
wounded sparrows, one RABBIT anu 0"'
opossum were also cared Tor.