WHEN, a month ago, the National Cat Show became an established fact, and inquiries were being made in regard to the classification and qualities of cats, I learned that none of the booksellers in New York had any literature upon the cat except a technical book by St. George Mivart: "The Cat: An Introduction to the Study of Backboned Animals," and the smaller book of Gordon Stables. I determined to prepare the present guide, which I present to the public interested in the useful stable-companion and pretty house-pet. Unfortunately, I was moving my office to the New York College of Veterinary Surgeons at the time, and many of my books, manuscripts, and personal notes were boxed up and have been unavailable for reference. I have drawn freely from the list of books to be found in the Bibliography. The illustrations are drawn mostly from St. George Mivart's book, "The Cat;" from "Our Cats," by Harrison Weir, F.R.H.S.; from Chauveau's "Anatomy" and Raillet's "Zoologie." I am especially indebted to Arthur Erwtn Brown, Esq., superintendent of the Zoological Gardens of Philadelphia, for editing the chapter upon the Zoology of the Feline Species; and I am glad to avail myself of this public opportunity of repeating my thanks to him.

Rush Shippen Huidekoper.

New York College of Veterinary Surgeons, 154 East Fifty-seventh Street, New York, April 16, 1895.