Cats
as that of the dog, so it is not surprising they are less varied in type. Our domestic cats,
though different from each other in colour, do not form distinct and separate races. Only the
climates of Spain, Syria or Chorazan (Persia) have produced constant varieties; to find
another, one must join the climate of the province of Pe-chi-ly (Northern Zhili) where there
are cats with long hair and hanging ears, much liked by the Chinese ladies." Buffon was
translated into English in 1781 by William Smellie. According to Buffon, "Our domestic cats,
though they differ in colour, form no distinct races. The climates of Spain and Syria have
alone produced permanent varieties: To these may be added the climate of Pe-chi-ly in
China, where the cats have long hair and pendulous ears, and are the favourites of the ladies.
These domestic cats with pendulous ears, of which we have full descriptions, are still farther
removed from the wild and primitive race, than those whose ears are erect."