If you cannot answer these questions from observations of wild rabbits, the answers may be obtained by reading some good natural history. Ernest Thompson Seton's story of a rabbit's life is good for the purpose. 1. What method of locomotion is more highly developed in wild rabbits than in domestic rabbits? Why? 2. When do wild rabbits do their feeding? Why? In what ways do they sometimes do damage in feeding? 3. What senses will probably be more alert than those of the domestic rabbit? Why? 4. Where do wild rabbits usually make their homes? Why? How do they guard against being cornered in their homes? 5. In what ways do they 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 protective or the result of breeding? What is the character of the covering? 3. Describe the method and rate of locomotion. Would this method of locomotion enable the animal to escape from enemies (_e.g._ dogs)? 4. What is the shape of the foot? What is the shape and length of the claws? For what are they adapted? 5. What sounds do the animals make? 6. What is the appearance and shape of the eye? What is the color of the eye? 7. State the size and shape of the external ear. What movements are characteristic? 8. What motions of the nostrils do you see? 9. Feed the animal various kinds of food. How does it eat? State any facts you observed, to show that it has or has not a choice as to food. 10. Watch the animal for some time to determine its mental characteristics. Is it alert? curious? timid? Does it show much intelligence? affection? What is the relation between mental development and success in the struggle for existence? _Summary._ 1. What are the general characteristics of the animal? 2. To what kind of life is it adapted? 3. What are some of the characteristics that make the animal a good pet? The Squirrel _Materials._