ABSTRACT
This complaint against the feline race is not confined to the Chinese, as the cat's independence is proverbial, though the size of its ears is not usually connected with its neglect to obey orders. As Buddhistic teaching inhibits the taking of life, superfluous kittens are not disposed of at birth, but are abandoned in some bushes when weaned, in hopes that. their appeals for food will attract the compassionate. If they try to gate-crash a house they are anything but welcome, as the advent of a cat betokens approaching poverty. A power of divination is one of the cat's attributes, and it is supposed to be able to foresee a rich harvest of rats and mice owing to the dilapidations resulting in a fall of income. Another ill omen is to have a cat stolen from a house, whilst a cat washing its face portends the arrival of a stranger. This latter belief exists also in Russia.
