1372 



THE RODENTS 



Lop- Eared 

 Breeds 



Other Breeds 



Among the most remarkable changes produced by domestication is 

 the assumption of a pendent position by one or both ears, which be- 

 come greatly enlarged, accompanied by a modification in the skull. 

 Whereas in the ordinary wild rabbit the length of the ears from tip to tip when 

 extended is rather less than eight inches, and the breadth of each not more than 

 two inches; a "lop-ear" has been exhibited in which these dimensions were 

 respectively twenty-three and five and one-half inches. The weight of these 

 rabbits is, moreover, frequently from eight to ten pounds; while, according to Mr. 

 Darwin, it has been known to reach eighteen pounds. When only one ear hangs 

 down the rabbit is called a ' ' half-lop, ' ' and in some cases this pendent ear is larger 

 than the upright one. Many lop-eared rabbits have large dewlaps, or folds of skin 

 beneath the throat. Neither whole nor half -lops breed at all truly; and in all lop- 

 eared rabbits the skull is proportionately longer than in the wild race. 



The Angora breed is readily distinguished by the length and fine- 

 ness of its fur, which is even of considerable length on the soles of the 

 feet. Mr. Darwin states that these rabbits are more sociable in disposition than the 

 other domestic breeds, and that the males do not exhibit that tendency to destroy 

 their offspring which is so characteristic of the rest. 



The hare-colored or Belgian rabbit differs mainly from other large 

 breeds by its color; while other strains which breed true to color are 

 the so-called silver-grays and chinchillas, which are born black, and assume their 

 characteristic colors later on. Silver-grays generally have black heads and legs, 

 and the fine gray fur of the body is intermingled with a number of long black and 

 white hairs. These rabbits have long been kept in warrens, and when crossed with 



the wild breed, one-half of the progeny, 

 or thereabouts, takes after the one par- 

 ent, ard the second half after the other. 

 On the other hand, chinchillas, or tame 

 silver-grays, have short, paler, mouse- 

 colored, or slaty fur, among which are 

 long, black, slate-colored, and white 

 hairs. Darwin remarks that silver-grays 

 may be regarded as black rabbits, which 

 become gray at an early period of life. 

 By crossing silver-grays with chinchillas 

 a certain number of the resulting off- 

 spring belong to what is known as the 

 Himalayan breed. When first born these 



rabbits are generally true albinos, having pure white fur and pink eyes; but in the 

 course of a few months they gradually become blackish brown on the ears, nose, 

 feet, and the upper surface of the tail. In spite of their sudden production, Hima- 

 layan rabbits generally breed true; and Darwin suggests that their remarkable 

 change in coloration may be due to both chinchillas and silver-grays having de- 

 scended from a cross between black and albino parents. Lastly, we have the Nicard 

 or Dutch rabbit, distinguished by its very small size; some examples not weighing 

 more than a pound and a quarter. 



RABBIT. 



