The EdbUL 93 



THE BABBIT. (Lepus cuniculus.) 



THIS animal, in a wild state, resembles the hare in all its 

 principal characters, but is distinguished from it by its 

 smaller size, the comparative shortness of the head and 

 hinder legs, the grey colour of the body, the absence of 

 the black tip to the ears, and the brown colour of the 

 upper part of the tail. Its habits, however, are very 

 different, as being from its organization unable to out- 

 strip its enemies in the chase, it seeks its safety and 

 shelter by burrowing in the ground ; and instead of lead- 

 ing a solitary life, its manners are eminently social. Its 

 flesh is white and good, though not so much prized as 

 that of the hare. 



The female begins to breed when she is about twelve 

 months old, and bears at least seven times a year, gene- 

 rally eight at each time ; now supposing this to happen 

 regularly,, a couple of Babbits at the end of four years 

 might see a progeny of almost a million and a half! 

 Fortunately their destruction by various enemies is in 

 proportion to their fecundity, or we might justly appre- 

 hend being overstocked by them. The young are born 

 blind, and almost destitute of hair ; while those of the 

 hare can see, and are covered with hair. 



