VERTEBRATES 149 



Why ? How do they guard against being cornered in 

 their homes ? • 



5. In what ways do ttiey guard against surprise when 

 feeding ? What are the principal enemies of rabbits ? 

 What devices do they employ to escape enemies when 

 pursued by them ? What is thumping ? When used ? 



6. How many young rabbits are 'usually produced at 

 one time ? How many litters in a season ? How long 

 does it take a young rabbit to mature ? 



7. How are the young of rabbits guarded against danger 

 from enemies and weather ? What are the various causes 

 that tend to keep down the numbers of rabbits ? 



8. Give an account of the plagues of rabbits in Colorado 

 and Australia, including the reasons for the great increase 

 in numbers and the methods used to destroy the rabbits. 



Summary of the Study of Rabbits 



1. What has been the general effect of domestication 

 upon rabbits ? 



2. What are the most important characters and habits 

 that fit the wild rabbit for its life ? 



The Guinea Pig or White Rat 

 Materials. 



Living animals. 



Observations. 



1. What regions of the body can you identify? What 

 is the relative length of the neck, ears, legs ? What about 

 the tail ? 



2. Describe the color scheme of the animal. Is it pro- 

 tective or the result of breeding ? What is the character 

 of the covering ? 



