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RABBITS AND RATS.
CHAPTER L. Zoology—Rabbits — Rats — Horned cattle — Horses—Mules—Asses— Sheep—Goats—Domestic animals—Whales—Thrasher—Grampus— Porpoise—Shark—Anecdote of the Young Creole—Death of the sailor-boy — Remora — Pilot fish—Dolphins — Jew fish—Stingray —Corramou—Beautiful colours displayed in fish—Parrot fish. IN an island like Antigua, destitute of every wild animal of larger , growth than a rabbit or a rat, it may be deemed risible to talk about its zoology ; but as that word embraces a description of all living creatures, I intend to include under it the several doctrines of ichthyology, entomology, and ornithology. Having mentioned rabbit and rats, I will reverse the general order pursued in writing upon subjects of natural history, and commence with a slight mention of those animals. The wild rabbit more particularly abounds in Long Island, a pretty and delightful spot, already mentioned as belonging to the Hon. Bertie E. Jarvis. Although rabbits sometimes form a dish at genteel tables, they are not generally esteemed in Antigua as an article of food. Many of the Creole negroes express the greatest antipathy to them, on account of their similitude to a cat ; and to offer to them such a repast would, no doubt, be deemed an insult. I remember upon one occasion, hearing a woman inquire of a black carpenter, who was employed about our premises, if he would purchase from her a rabbit which she had in a basket. " Rabbit?" interrogated the artisan, his face wearing a most sardonic grin, " I should jist like to no war you take me for, ma'am? You tink me go buy rabbit? No, ma'am, me no cum to dat yet ; for.me always did say, an me always will say, dat dem who eat rabbit, eat pussy,* and dem eat pussy, eat rabbit. Get out wid you and your rabbit!" The rats are a numerous race in Antigua, and feed most
* The negroes term all cats, but more particularly kittens, " pussy."
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