THE STUDY OF THE RABBIT. 47 



Have pupils care for rabbits as far as possible. Feed 

 three times a day. " In the morning give them a hand- 

 ful of hay or dry clover, and a little of such green food 

 as is in season ; about noon, some good oats or meal ; 

 at night, more green stuff and hay, if that which was 

 given in the morning is all eaten. Rabbits are very 

 fond of green food, but do not let them have too much, 

 and care should be taken that this is quite dry. No 

 green food is better for rabbits than parsley and the tops 

 of carrots ; the roots of the latter are eaten with much 

 relish. Besides these, lettuce, the leaves or better 

 still, the stumps of a cabbage, turnips and parsnips, 

 can sometimes be given them." It is commonly be- 

 lieved that rabbits do not need water. They certainly 

 do, at least when their food is dry, and when they have 

 young rabbits to be fed. 



Find out how many of the pupils have or have had 

 rabbits, and get them to wlatch their pets at home, and 

 come prepared to tell something definite they have dis- 

 covered about them. Strongly emphasize the idea that 

 only the observations of the children are desired, not 

 what they have heard or read about the rabbit. 



Dwell on observation of habits, the study of which 

 requires most time. Much about structure will be 

 learned incidentally ; the definite study of points of 

 structure can be left for the formal lessons. Direct 

 the observations by placing on the blackboard or giving , 

 to the pupils, from day to day, such questions as the 1 

 following, to be investigated whenever the children have 

 or can be given opportunity : 



