66 RABBIT.

They are very destructive animals, and as their numbers
increase in so remarkable a manner, they require to
be kept under, or they would most seriously injure
the fruits of the earth, their food consisting of corn,
grass, turnips, carrots, and the bark of trees; in fact
almost anything that is green.

“In a wild state, the colour is generally uniform, but
when domesticated, which it is more easily than the
hare, it varies greatly. It inhabits the temperate and
warmer regions of Kurope, Asia, and Africa, and is
common on the British Continent and Islands. It lives
from eight to nine years, and breeds seven times a year,
bringing forth four to eight at a time, which are full-
grown in six months. Its flesh is white and delicate,
and its fur of some value.

Extensive warrens are kept on different parts of the
Island, where the sandy soil precludes more valuable
products. There are three kinds in this country, the
common grey rabbit, the black rabbit, and the silky
rabbit, found in the Isle of Man, and some other Islands,
supposed to have been originally brought from Angora.
The fur is of a dirty ash-colour, paler beneath, and of
a silky fineness, three inches or more in length. They
do not associate with the other kinds.”