REMARKS ABOUT RABBITS 123 



whiteness, and who is, indeed, the only male of that 

 colour I have preserved. 



u It was to no purpose that the family augmented, those 

 which in their turn became fathers were still subordinate 

 to him. 



"Whenever they fought, whether on account of their 

 females or concerning their food, their great progenitor 

 would run to the place of dispute, with all speed, as soon 

 as he heard the noise. No sooner did they perceive him 

 than everything was presently reduced to order, and if he 

 surprised any one of them actually assaulting another, he 

 used to separate him from the rest, and punish him on 

 the spot. 



" Another proof .of his dominion is, that they were 

 accustomed to be summoned by a whistle ; whenever 

 I gave the signal, how distant soever they might be, this old 

 one immediately put himself at their head ; and though 

 he came first, yet he made them all file off and enter 

 before him, nor would he go in till the last." 



So many useful books have appeared giving all manner 

 of directions about hutches and houses for rabbit-keeping, 

 and some of them containing, also, the best methods of 

 coping with their ailments, with remedies for their cure, 

 that I think I need not go into these matters, as these 

 pages are mainly written to give intending fanciers, in as 

 concise terms and condensed form as possible, some 

 useful hints as to what are the points to be sought for in 

 breeding or purchasing the nearest approach to per- 

 fection in the several varieties which are to be seen at the 

 shows, which are now being held so extensively in these 



