266 
The Leporide. 
resembled that of the hare, but the hind limbs were like those 
of a rabbit, and the flesh was white. Owen recognised it as 
a hybrid. 
That hybrids may be produced between these two animals 
seems not to be disputed ; but that hybrids should be prolific 
and breed one with the other, or with either parent stock, has 
been a point of acrimonious contention, which is not the less 
bitter because it is prompted by a motive to which respect is due. 
It has been a dogma of the Naturalists that hybrids of different 
species are sterile, and the hare and rabbit are classed as belong- 
ing to different species ; moreover, points of religious belief have 
got mixed up with the Naturalist's creed respecting "species." 
So M. Roux and his reporters have been libellously assailed, 
and the truth of their assertions tested, and, as it seems, con- 
firmed. 
M. Roux's object in his cross-breeding was to unite with the 
prolific character of the rabbit some of the superior qualities of 
the hare. With this view the doe-rabbit was at first preferred 
(the doe-hare being a very shy breeder in confinement, besides 
being less prolific), and further modifications in the race were 
afterwards introduced. The first cross very nearly resembled the 
rabbit ; the females among them were then put to the buck-hare, 
and their produce were " larger and stronger than either father or 
mother," yet in appearance they were only half way between the 
hare and rabbit. M. Roux next bred from this second generation 
(" inter se"), and the offspring resembled their parents, but the litters 
diminished in number down to from two to five ; so a little more 
rabbit blood was thought desirable, and the does, three-quarter 
hare, were put to a half-bred buck. The result was quite satis- 
factory — the produce exhibited the handsome features and form 
of their mother, and they were prolific. When they were further 
bred from "inter se," the litters numbered from five to eight, 
and they were more hardy even than the rabbit, and easily- 
reared : they grow fast, are precocious, and will begin to breed 
• at four months. The gestation occupies thirty days ; they suckle 
for three weeks : twenty-seven days after the last birth the doe 
may be put to the buck, and can very well rear six litters in a year. 
It is stated that this breed supplies a large amount of meat for 
the food consumed ; sold at the age of four months they make 
two francs in the market, when the warren-rabbit fetches only one 
franci When older their skin becomes more valuable than that 
of the hare, and commonly sells for one franc. At a year old 
they generally weigh from 8 to 11 lbs.; picked specimens have 
attained to 12, 14, and even 17 lbs. With results such as these, 
M. Roux considered that he had reached his aim, and this new 
stamp of animal was to be retained and maintained. 
^ To breed these animals the following course must be pursued: 
