io RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



coats and for eating than for exhibition, as I am not 

 aware that rabbits are shown on the Continent to anything 

 like the extent that prevails with us, although of late years 

 they have warmly taken up with dogs, poultry, pigeons 

 and some kinds of cage birds. 



Another variety, which is perhaps the least often seen 

 at exhibitions in this country, is that known as the 

 Japanese, which is thought to have been practically 

 unknown here prior to 1893, when a brief notice of it 

 was given in one of our fanciers' papers. 



Although much larger in size, it has somewhat the 

 shape of the Dutch variety, and some of those which have 

 been received in this country from France, where it has 

 found favour with some breeders, have evidently been 

 crossed with Dutch, but not to the advantage of the 

 breed. 



In point of shape, size, and general utility for table 

 purposes, the variety offers scope for development of 

 usefulness ; although as a competitor at shows it has yet 

 been little seen, but if taken up by zealous and energetic 

 breeders there is no reason to doubt it would attract 

 notice, like many other novelties of less merit have 

 already done. 



There appears to be nothing delicate about the variety, 

 which has been bred in open-air hutches on the Continent 

 of Europe, but, no doubt, those reared indoors would be 

 finer and softer in coat, and these are qualities esteemed 

 by its votaries. 



As this is one of the few rabbits I have not personally 

 kept, I am not able to give the results of my own experi- 



