Modes of Keeping. 209 



well perhaps as more for the comfort of the 

 animals ; but surely not so profitable to the 

 owner as hutching, in which mode also, 

 they may be preserved, with due care, in 

 the highest state of health. On this head, I 

 find the following remark in my memoranda, 

 for the year 1805: — Rabbits, at large, 

 must alxcays siffftr more in point of profit, 

 by loss of number, than they gain by cheap- 

 er feeding., exclusive of the mischief they 

 do ; and this principle operates proportion- 

 ally in limited enlargement, as in the un- 

 limited upon the warren. They are quar- 

 relsome and mischievous animals ; and the 

 bucks, w^hen at liberty, destroy a consider- 

 able part of the young. A run abroad, in- 

 deed, for young rabbits, until a certain 

 age, might be beneficial i^ growth were the 

 object; but all rabbits must be separated 

 at the age of puberty, or as soon as they 

 become fit for breeding ; they will else tear 

 each other to pieces. 



As to the VARIETIES of FORM and co- 

 lour, in the rabbit, the short-legged. 



