342 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The fecundity of the Rabbit is truly aftonifhing. If 

 breeds feven times in the year, and generally produces 

 eight young at a time ; from which it is calculated, that 

 one pair may increafe, in the courfe of four years, to the 

 amazing number of 1,274,840: So that, if frequent re- 

 ductions were not made in various ways, there is reafoii 

 to apprehend they would foon exceed the means of their 

 fupport, and over-run the face of the country. But as 

 their increafe is great, fo is the number of their enemies j 

 for, befides thofe that are taken for the ufe of man, great 

 numbers are devoured by Foxes, Weafels, Foumarts, and 

 other beafts of prey.— -In Spain, they formerly increafed 

 to fuch a degree, as to become fo obnoxious, that the in- 

 habitants were obliged to procure Ferrets from Africa to 

 deftroy them. 



The Rabbit is capable of procreating at the age of five 

 or fix months. — The female goes with young about thirty 

 days. Previous to her bringing forth, me makes a bed 

 with down, that {he pulls off her own coat. She never 

 leaves her young but when prefled with hunger, and re- 

 turns as foon as that is allayed, which {he effects with 

 furprifing quicknefs. During the time fhe tends and 

 fuckles her young, {he carefully conceals them from the 

 male, left he {hould devour them •, and frequently covers 

 up the mouth of the hole, that her retreat may not be 

 difcovered. 



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

 warm and temperate climates. — Pliny and Ariftotle men- 

 tion 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 

 only be reared in houfes. 



It abounds in Great- Britain, where its {kin forms a 



