112 



DOMESTIC RABBITS : 



Chap. IV. 



one ear dependent, there is nearly as good a chance of the 

 progeny having both ears full-lop, as if both parents had 

 been thus characterized. But I am informed, if both parents 

 have upright ears, there is hardly a chance of a full-lop. In 

 some half lops the ear that hangs down is broader and longer 

 than the upright ear;!^ g^ ^j^^t we have the unusual case of 

 a want of symmetry on the two sides. This diiference in the 

 position and size of the two ears probably indicates that the 

 lopping results from the great length and weight of the ear, 



Fig 5.— Half-lop Rabbit. (Copied from E. S. Delamer's work.) 



favoured no doubt b}^ the weakness of the muscles consequent 

 on disuse. Anderson ^^ mentions a breed having onl}'^ a 

 single ear ; and Professor Gervais another breed destitute of 

 ears. 



We come now to the Himalayan breed, which is sometimes 

 called Chinese, Polish, or Kussian. These pietty rabbits are 

 white, or occasionally yellow, excepting theii- ears, nose, 

 feet, and the upper side of the tail, which are all brownish- 

 black ; but as they have red eyes, they may be considered as 



** Delamer, ' Pigeons and Rabbits,' 

 p. 136. Fee also ' Journal of Horti- 

 culture,' 1861, p. 375.. 



" 'An Account of the different 

 Kinds of Sheep in the Russian Domi 

 nions,' 1794-, p. 39. 



