332 OBSERVATIONS ON QUADRUPEDS. 



allow no bents to rise ; hence warrens produce much the 

 most delicate turf for gardens. Sheep never touch the stalks 

 of grasses.* WHITE. 



green food and nice bits placed there for it, and, when satisfied, it used to 

 climb up the skirt of the dress, nestle in the lap or under the arm, and go to 

 sleep. If this indulgence could not be permitted, then Bunny (as we called 

 it) would spring into my work-basket, and take a nap there. At mid-day it 

 liked to sit in the sun on the window-seat, then it would clean its fur and 

 long ears, each being separately drawn down, and held by one foot while 

 brushed by the other. This duty performed, it would stretch at full length, 

 and basking in the sun-beams fall asleep. Strange to tell, all this was going 

 on with the dog in the room, who had been made to understand that the rabbit 

 was not to be touched ; stranger still, the rabbit ceased to show any fear of 

 the dog ; but, on the contrary, delighted in jumping on the dog's back and 

 running after his tail. These liberties, however, were not pleasing to Jewel ; 

 they were evidently only endured in obedience to the commands of his mistress. 

 Not approving of one favourite being made happy at the other's expense, I 

 was obliged to interfere upon these occasions, and call Bunny to order. 



" Being frequently told that a wild rabbit could not be so thoroughly 

 domesticated, but that it would return to the woods if it regained its liberty, 

 I feared that if mine got loose it would certainly run away. Yet I wished it 

 should be sometimes in the garden to feed upon such green food as it liked 

 best : for this purpose I fastened it with a collar and small chain, and, thus 

 secured, led it about. One evening the chain unfortunately broke, and Bunny 

 was free ! At first we saw it running from place to place with wild delight, 

 but after a little while we could not see it, and we hunted in vain under 

 the shrubs, calling it by name, until it became dark ; we then ceased to search 

 any longer, and I concluded my pretty pet was gone. 



" Before retiring for the night, 1 gave a last look out of the window, in the 

 hope I might chance to see it once more. The moon was then shining brightly, 

 and I distinctly saw my little rabbit sitting at the door with head and ears 

 erect, as if listening for its friends within, anxious, perhaps, for its accustomed 

 nice supper and soft warm bed. I hastened down stairs to let it in, calling it 

 by name, when, the moment I opened the door, a strange cat darted forward, 

 seized it by the neck, and bore it screaming away ! Of course every effort of 

 mine was useless to overtake the cat. 



" I feel convinced that this fond little creature would not have left us, to 

 return to the wood. That it did not come when called, was the effect of 

 excessive joy for its newly found freedom, which must have been doubly 

 delightful while we were near, as no doubt it saw us when we could not see 

 it, and was only quietly feeding when we thought it was gone away. 



" Four months must have been the extent of poor Bunny's short 

 life." ED. 



* This is a wise and beautiful provision of Providence. If sheep, or indeed 

 any quadrupeds were to feed on the stalks of grasses, the seed vessels would 

 be destroyed, and, consequently, the turf would not be renovated from time to 

 time. In order to guard against their destruction, the stalks are very bitter. 

 (See Babbits.) ED. 



