ANIMALS. 321 



dis white, some are red, and others both red and white. It dii'- 

 iirs from the rabbit in the number of its toes, having four toes 

 vn the feet before, and but three on those behind. It strokes its 

 iiead with the forefeet, like the rabbit ; and, like it, sits u])on 

 the hind-feet; for which puqiose there is a naked callous skin 

 00 the back part of the legs and feet. 



These animals are, of all others, the most helpless and inof- 

 fensive.' They are scarcely possessed of courage sufficient to 

 defend themselves against the meanest of all quadrupeds, a 

 niouse. Their only animosity is exerted against each other : for 

 they will often fight very obstinately ; and the stronger is often 

 knoNvn to destroy the weaker. But against all other aggressors, 

 their only remedy is patience and non-resistance. How, there- 

 fore, these animals, in a savage state, could contrive to protect 

 themselves, I have not been able to learn ; as they want strength, 

 swiftness, and even the natural instinct so common to almost 

 every other creature. 



As to their manner of living among us, they owe their lives 

 entirely to our unceasing protection. They must be constantly 

 attended, shielded from the excessive^ colds of the winter, and 

 secured against all other domestic animals, which are apt to at- 

 tack them, from every motive, either of appetite, jealousy, or ex- 

 perience of their pusillanimous nature. Such, indeed, is their 

 stupidity, that they suffer themselves to be devoured by the cats 

 without resistance ; and, differing from all other creatures, the 

 female sees her young destroyed without once attempting to pro- 

 tect them. Their usual food is bran, parsley, or cabbage-leaves ; 

 but there is scarce a vegetable cultivated in our gardens that they 

 will not gladly devour. The carrot-top is a peculiar dainty, as 

 also salad ; and those who would preserve their healths, would 

 do right to vary their food ; for if they be continued on a kind 

 too succulent or too dry, the effects are quickly perceived upon 

 their constitution. When fed upon recent vegetables, they sel- 

 dom drink. But it often happens that, conducted by nature, 

 they seek drier food, when the former disagrees with them. 

 They then gnaw clothes, paper, or whatever of this kind they 

 meet with ; and on these occasions they are seen to drink like 

 most other animals, which they do by lapping. They are chiefly 



! This history is partly taken 'rom the Air.T?!\it;iie? Acadcmioje, vol. tv, 

 p. iW. 



