REVIEWS. 549 ` 




laws, since among wild animals the two tendencies would mutually coun- 
= teract each other, keeping the species within its own proper boundaries 
of form and variation. 
The only really notable instance about which the author seems to enter- 
tain no doubt, is the Porto Santo rabbit. This animal, though differently 
d in some respects, and not more than half the weight of the Eng- 
7 lish rabbit, yet recovered the peculiar markings of the English species in 
_ father less than four years after its transportation to England. us 
ina feral state, under a different climate, it lost the characteristic colors 
a and weight of its species, and returned to the colors only when brought 
= toits native climate. They were found while in the Zoological Gardens 
_ tobe extremely wild and active, more like large rats in this respect than 
_ tabbits, and untamable; and the two males, though bachelors, utterly re- 
a fused to pair with the native breeds; ‘‘yet this rabbit, which there can be 
a little doubt would thus have been’ ranked as a distinct species, has cer- 
_ tainly originated since the year 1420.” 
think that an instance of this kind would unquestionably 
ings 




habit in the time W ich 
and in- 
eings.” The novelty of the fact, however, consists in this, that 
races, the Pouter, Fantail, Carrier, ete., differing from each 
i have seen them can appreciate, 
none of Darwin’s experiments and researches will exci 
“0n of the systematic zoölogist more than this. 
