THE RABBIT. 47 



a curious article in the history of animated nature. This 

 little quadruped breeds seven times in a year, and generally 

 produces seven or eight young at a time ; from which may 

 be calculated the wonderful and almost incredible increase 

 of which a single pair might in a few years be capable ; but 

 as their propagation is rapid, so their enemies are nume- 

 rous. Foxes, weasels, and all animals of the weasel kind 

 prey upon them ; besides, immense numbers are destroyed 

 for the use of mankind, both as food and for their fur. In- 

 deed, if a considerable reduction did not by various means 

 take place, it is obvious that in a short time they would be- 

 come so numerous, as to exceed the means of support, and 

 totally consume the whole vegetable produce of the country. 

 In this animal, therefore, as well as in many others, we dis- 

 cover a striking display of the wisdom of the Creator, in 

 so exactly proportioning the measure of increase and de- 

 struction. The Rabbit is not among the indigenous animals 

 of America; but in many of the West India Islands there 

 are great numbers which have originated from a stock car- 

 ried thither from Europe. 



One striking dissimilarity between the habits of this quad- 

 ruped and those of the hare is, that the former burrows in 

 holes in the ground, while the latter depends on speed for 

 its security. The flesh of the rabbit, and also that of the 

 hare, is esteemed unclean by both the Jews and the Ma- 

 hometans, but is considered a delicacy among Christians : 

 and the fur of the one as well as the other constitutes a 

 very considerable article in the manufacture of hats and 

 caps. Indeed, in England, the skins of the Rabbit consti- 

 tute no small part of the profits of those who keep warrens. 

 Thus we see how wonderfully the Creator has multiplied 



