SECTION IV., 1895. [ 281] Trans. R.5.C. 
XI.—The Psychic Development of Young Animals and its Physical 
Correlation. 
By Weszey Mizzs, M.A., M.D., F.R.S.C. 
Professor of Physiology in McGill University, Montreal. 
(Read May 16, 1895.) 
Ni 
THE RABBIT AND THE CAVY OR GUINEA-PIG. 
In pursuance of the plan followed in other papers I shall first give 
a record of observations on which to base conclusions. 
Both common and pure-bred rabbits have been studied, and this 
rodent will be considered before any comparison is made with the cavy 
or guinea-pig. 
The following notes refer to a litter of common rabbits. 
DIARY. 
1st day.—The animals are found on the first day to be blind, the 
eyelids not yet having opened, and deaf. 
They are also naked or almost entirely lack hair. 
They can move about, but only in a sprawling, feeble way. 
They lie in a nest lined with the mother’s hair, and the slightest 
movement near causes them great disturbance. 
A couple are removed from the nest after making observations on 
them there and taken into the house for closer study. 
The slightest touch or even a slight puff of air from the mouth 
causes them much disturbance—they move in an irregular ill-co-ordinated 
way, but evidently are greatly affected. 
' It is especially difficult to get anything near the mouth without 
causing movement, owing, no doubt, in part at least, to the “feelers” 
in some instances, but not always. 
A fly crawling across the head causes jerky movements of the head 
as a whole, and of the ears. 
Irritating liquids, as blistering fluid, iodine, carbolic acid, etc., when 
held before the nose, cause movements of face parts. 
Aloes in solution and milk placed before the nose give negative 
results. 
When solutions of Epsom salts, common salt and aloes are placed on 
the tongue, this organ is protruded in a way suggestive of dislike. 
