HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 375 



over-run the face of the country. But as their in- 

 crease is great, so is the number of their enemies ; 

 for, besides those that are taken for the use of man, 

 great numbers are devoured by Foxes, Weasels, 

 Foumarts, and other beasts of prey. In Spain they 

 formerly increased to such a degree, as to become 

 so noxious, that the inhabitants were obliged to 

 procure Ferrets from Africa to destroy them. 



The Rabbit is capable of procreating at the age 

 of five or six months. The female goes with young 

 about thirty days. Previous to her bringing forth, 

 she makes a bed Avith down, which she pulls off her 

 own coat. She never leaves her young but when 

 pressed with hunger, and returns as soon as that is 

 allayed, which she effects with surprising quickness. 

 During the time she tends and suckles her young, 

 she carefully conceals them from the male, lest he 

 should devour them; and frequently covers up the 

 mouth of the hole, that her retreat may not be dis- 

 covered. 



It lives to the age of eight or nine years, and pre- 

 fers warm and temperate climates. Pliny and 

 Aristotle mention it as being anciently known only 

 in Greece and Spain: it is now, however, common 

 in various parts of Europe; but in Sweden and 

 other cold countries it can be reared only in houses. 



It abounds in Great Britain, where its skin forms 

 a very considerable article in the manufacture of 

 hats. Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, 

 are most noted for the production of them. 



The flesh of the Rabbit, as well as the Hare, was 

 forbidden to the Jews and the Mahometans. 



