160 SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



preferred by some, but we agree with M. Ude in think- 

 ing it very inferior. 



It would appear that the rabbit is not an aboriginal of 

 our island, but the date of its introduction is unknown. 

 In the year 1 309, at the installation feast of the Abbot 

 of St. Austin's, six hundred of these animals were pro- 

 vided, at the then great cost of 15/. ; the price of each, 

 sixpence, being that of a pig. It is generally believed 

 that the rabbit was first introduced into Spain from 

 Africa by tiie Romans, whence it gradually spread, na- 

 turalising itself in temperate climates. 



This animal is eminently gregarious ; and, as is well 

 known, makes extensive burrows, in which it habitually 

 dwells and rears its young. Sandy soils, with a super- 

 ficial layer of fine vegetable mould clothed with thyme, 

 fine grass, and other herbage, which at the same time 

 afford food and are easily mined, are favourable spots for 

 the increase of the rabbit. They delight in steep sand- 

 banks overhung with brushwood and furze ; and we have 

 remarked that where the old red sandstone crops out and 

 is rendered friable, or somewhat decomposed by the 

 action of the atmospheric elements, rabbits are very nu- 

 merous, burrowing with great facility. They abound 

 also in woods, especially such as clothe the declivities of 

 hills, whence, like the hare, they make incursions into 

 the adjacent corn-lands. A rabbit-warren, that is, a 

 wide sandy heath, or extensive common, devoted to their 

 increase and feeding, when visited at the close of day or 

 by moonlight, affords an amusing spectacle. Hundreds 

 may be seen of all sizes, gambolling and sporting, and 

 chasing each other with astonishing rapidity. When 

 alarmed, they take to their burrows, disappearing as if 

 by magic. 



The female is capable of breeding at six months old ; 

 and four or five litters, consisting each of about five 

 young, are annually produced. We have stated that the 

 hare produces her youn^ clothed, capable of seeing, and 

 soon in a condition to shift for themselves. With the 

 rabbit <iircumstances are widely different. The young 

 are born blind, and naked, and totally helpless. U'he 



