The hare-coloured, or, as it is sometimes called, the Belgian
rabbit, differs in nothing except colour from the other large
breeds; but Mr. J. Young, of Southampton, a great breeder of this
kind, informs me that the females, in all the specimens examined by
him, had only six mammæ and this certainly was the case with two
females which came into my possession. Mr. B. P. Brent, however,
assures me that the number is variable with other domestic rabbits.
The common wild rabbit always has ten mammæ. The Angora rabbit is
remarkable from the length and fineness of its fur, which even on
the soles of the feet is of considerable length. This breed is the
only one which differs in its mental qualities, for it is said to
be much more sociable than other rabbits, and the male shows no
wish to destroy its young.[9] Two live rabbits were brought to me
from Moscow, of about the size of the wild species, but with long
soft fur, different from that of the Angora. These Moscow rabbits
had pink eyes and were snow-white, excepting the ears, two spots
near the nose, the upper and under surface of the tail, and the
hinder tarsi, which were blackish-brown. In short, they were
coloured nearly like the so-called Himalayan rabbits, presently to
be described, and differed from them only in the character of their
fur. There are two other breeds which come true to colour, but
differ in no other respect, namely silver-greys and chinchillas.
Lastly, the Nicard or Dutch rabbit may be mentioned, which varies
in colour, and is remarkable from its small size, some specimens
weighing only 1-1/4 pounds; rabbits of this breed make excellent
nurses for other and more delicate kinds.[10]
Illustration: Fig. 5—Half-lop Rabbit.
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