The Siamese Cat, the most mystical oriental cats in the world. It is not a new breed but a breed long developed in the Siamese Royal Court. Since the opening of Siam in 1865, the Siamese cat gained popularity in the west especially Britain. The appeal of the Siamese Cat remains and perhaps it is one of the most popular known breed in the world. Phyllis Lauder's "The Batsford Book Of The Siamese Cat" is perhaps one of the earliest book in the market detailing all known variations of the Siamese. Although most of us would have seen the familiar, seal point Siamese (as shown), many of us would be less familiar with other variations like blue point, lilac point, tabby pointy, devon si-rex etc. For me it was the first time seeing the Devon Si-Rex, a crossed between the Devon Rex and the Siamese Cat. It is astounding to see such variations, imagine a Siamese coloured Devon Rex, a thin and hairless Siamese! Nevertheless, I would say this book is best reserved for enthusiast and experts of cat especially Siamese Cats, certainly not for the laymen on the streets. It is rather too technical and the pictures are not that attractive as more often than not, the pictures are in black and white.