198 VERTEBRATES 



THE RABBIT 



Lepas sylvatius 



General Suggestions. — The common rabbit is the most 

 satisfactory mammal to dissect, and hence this study is 

 introduced here. The directions will apply with but few- 

 changes to the cat or dog. If the specimens can be obtained 

 alive without being wounded, they should be studied to 

 find out movements, favorite positions, and keenness of 

 eyesight and hearing. 



Kill the specimen with chloroform or ether, and when it 

 is quite dead cut the left jugular vein to relieve the body of 

 a part of its blood. If the instructor so desires, the arteries 

 and veins may be injected, but very satisfactory work may 

 be done without injection. 



I. External Features. — (i) What colors are found on 

 the body, and how are they distributed? What colors are 

 present v/hen viewed from the front? From the rear? Of 

 what value to the animal is the white color of the tail? 



Note the hair on the different portions of the body. 

 Where is it the longest? The thickest? Note the hair on 

 the face and the nostrils. Of what value are the bristles? 

 Are they all the same length? Look below the nostrils at 

 the parting of the lips. Of what value is it? Note the 

 location of the eyes and ears. Does this arrangement benefit 

 the animal? 



Study the covering at the toes of the feet. Is it of any 

 value to the animal ? How ? How many toes on each foot ? 

 Compare the clarvs of the front and hind feet. For what 

 are the claws used? 



