EXERCISES ON CHAPTER XI. 1. Explain in what respects a moss plant resembles and differs from the prothallus of a fern. 2. What structure in a moss corresponds, as regards reproduction, to an ordinary fern plant? 3. What do you mean by the term “alternation of generations”? Explain your answer by references to ferns and mosses. 4. How does a mushroom resemble and differ from a green plant in its method of obtaining food? 5. Why does a piece of damp bread become mouldy when it is exposed to the air? 6. Describe simple experiments which prove that the dust of ordinary air contains living particles. 7. Mention common plants which are wafted about by currents of air in a dwelling-house, and point out changes which such plants may set up in articles of human food. (1905) [Pg 211] PART II. ANIMAL LIFE CHAPTER XII. THE RABBIT: A TYPICAL MAMMAL. 43. THE RABBIT: HABITS AND APPEARANCE. 1. The habits of the wild rabbit.—In what places have you known wild rabbits to have a warren? In what kind of ground is a rabbit warren generally found? How can you recognise it? Are all the holes of the warren of similar size, or can you distinguish between main entrances and “bolt-holes”? Look for smooth paths, perhaps nine inches wide, which lead to the main entrances and intersect each other, so as to form “runs.” Watch the animals feeding and playing; to do this successfully it will be necessary to keep very still and silent; avoid walking on the runs. What do the rabbits eat? Do they walk, or hop? How do they run? Notice how conspicuous is the white tail of a running rabbit. In June look for a nest of young rabbits. The position of such a nest may often be recognised, when the doe is away from home, by a smooth patch of earth with which she has covered up the hole. Dig up this very carefully and notice how the nest is lined. Examine the young ones without hurting them, and then cover them up again. What is the colour of a wild rabbit? Does the colour render the animal less conspicuous? Are tame rabbits so often of this colour? Why [Pg 212] not? Watch a tame rabbit, noticing especially the movements of its nostrils, whiskers, and ears, and its method of feeding. Try to see how it gnaws the bars of its hutch. 2. Fur.—Examine a dead rabbit. With what is the skin covered? What are the differences between the fur of a rabbit, the hair of a dog, and the wool of a sheep? Is fur curly? Does it lie flat on the skin? Does it consist of different sizes of hair—short, fine hairs and long, thicker ones? What other animals do you know which have fur? 3. The head.—(a) The whiskers.—On what parts of the head are the longest hairs found? How do these differ, apart from length, from ordinary hairs? What other common animals have whiskers? Do such animals often make their way through narrow passages? What do you suppose is the use of the whiskers?