NINE LIVES FOR RABBITS, TOO?

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 89, 9 January 1935, Page 8

NINE LIVES FOR RABBITS, TOO?

The news that a rabbit's heart was made to beat again, after death, bv a London woman surgeon may nqt be- received with acclamation 'in the Antipodes. In this part of the world there-are few people who have not either attempted to destroy rabbits or realises the necessity for their destruction. „ Although there is a rabbit which resides comfortably in the main street of Ashburton, it is impiqbable that such natural and attractive conditions of life are experienced by London rabbits: consequently we may assume that they are a rarer breed, and there may be some point in postponing their visitation to the Happy Hunting Ground of all rabbits. Yet the English seem to preserve an affection for the animal which is unknown in this country. Some Australian soldiers during the war, being, entertained to dinner by an English hostess, were informed that there was a surprise awaiting them on the menu. The scene and sentiments when rabbit pie eventually appeared can quite well be left to the imagination. Even when allowance is made for the difference in conditions m London, the fact of this remarkable experiment having been Success; fully performed may still alarm colonial farmers.. What if the surgeons should bring their new-fangled devices to this part of the world. At least there is a grain of consolation in the fact that a rabbit s death here may be so violent that it may, not have a heait left to revive: then again very’ few rabbits have sufficient acumeij to install their dead brethren in the essential block of ice until resuscitation can be effected. X