CHAPTER VII 



THE JAPANESE RABBIT 



As far as I remember, this is the latest variety we 

 have seen in this country, and it is not by any means 

 common now. 



I have not heard of any being seen in Europe prior 

 to 1893, and they were looked upon as great curiosities, 

 which is partly accounted for by their peculiar appear- 

 ance. 



I believe it to be rightly named, and that the first 

 specimens seen in Europe were really imported from 

 Japan, which interesting kingdom still breeds the 

 variety in considerable numbers, but for utilitarian 

 purposes only. I have not heard of any exhibitions of 

 live stock there, although we know that the Japanese are 

 more progressive and enterprising than any other of the 

 Eastern nations, and have adopted many of the customs 

 and institutions of the West ; and it would probably be 

 found that the Japanese who read, speak and write 

 European languages are, at least, in the proportion of one 

 hundred to one of the Europeans who can do the like in 

 Japanese ! 



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