8 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



back and chains of spots from sides of neck, connecting 

 with markings on sides and back markings, forming a sort 

 of saddle, and there are other requirements which I shall 

 deal with more in detail when treating of this variety in 

 particular. 



From old associations I have always taken an interest 

 in these, and have had not a few winners amongst my 

 stock, when I went in extensively for exhibiting rabbits 

 some years since. 



The variety known as the Patagonian seems to have 

 been given a fancy name, as I have never heard that it had 

 any connection with the country of that name, most of 

 those which have found their way here having been 

 imported from the Continent of Europe. 



As far as my experience goes, it has never enjoyed 

 much favour with our fanciers, and I do not remember 

 seeing a class given to it at any shows. 



And if anything can cause a variety of any sort at 

 exhibitions to lose popularity, it is for it to be constantly 

 shown in " Any Other Variety classes," as it then becomes 

 almost a lottery as to what will take the fancy of the 

 judge. 



Doubtless the right course to take in such a case is to 

 give the prizes to the best specimens of their several 

 varieties, but as most judges have partiality for, and are 

 better acquainted with, some varieties than others, it is 

 only natural they should give the preference to those 

 specimens, than to others they may not know so well ; in 

 such cases the Patagonian usually comes off badly. 



It is a large rabbit, dark iron-grey in colour, and is 



