THE JAPANESE RABBIT 59 



This variety is credited, with being gentle and 

 docile in temperament, good breeders, excellent mothers 

 and moderate eaters, but not dainty in their diet. They 

 have proved themselves sufficiently hardy to do well 

 in outside hutches, of course protected against wet or 

 cold weather, and not difficult to breed and rear. Being 

 of active, lively habits, they are best kept in roomy 

 hutches, as they otherwise have a tendency to develop 

 dewlaps, which are not desirable in the breed. There is 

 much of the Dutch Rabbit in the shape of this variety, 

 but there the likeness ends, as mature specimens are 

 usually much larger and heavier animals than the Dutch 

 seen at our shows. This is such a very recent arrival in 

 this country that little is known about it, with certainty, 

 as there are few persons with any practical experience in 

 regard to it, nor am I aware that any attempt has been 

 made to fix a standard by which specimens should be 

 judged. 



Unfortunately, some of the earliest importations were 

 not kept as pure as they might have been, but crossed 

 with other varieties, which has increased the difficulties of 

 intending fanciers. 



If, however, some energetic breeders will take the 

 matter in hand, it will be interesting to see a new variety 

 brought forward which seems to have many points in its 

 favour. 



For the information of such of my readers who 

 have not seen any specimens, I give a brief description of 

 its appearance. 



The head is large, and the ears strong, thick, with 



