Morning journal and courier., 1888-05-19
HUNNY BEATS THE BOG. A Texas Rabbit Defeats CarondeIet,s
 Prize Dogs.
From the St. Louis Globe Democrat

l From the St. Louis Globe. Democrat The rabbit is known to the student of natural history as the most timid, perhaps cowardly, creature of the animal Kingdom.
 It's habits and it's form indicate that it was never intended by nature to do battle with other animals. The rabbit remains concealed by day and comes out by twilight in search of food. Pursued by dogs it always takes flight, and often runs into the hole of the woodchuck, skunk, fox, or weasel, in the last three cases often falling victim to the inhabitant of the burrow. The Texas stjack" rabbit is peculiar species of the hare family,
 possessing long, slender legs, for making long leaps. The greatest terror to the "jack" is the fast running dog, from whom he always runs with all the speed nature
 has given him. When Dr. J. H. Leslie of
 this city related his recent experiences with Texas rabbit, and told how it whipped all the dogs in Carondelet, to party of friends in the Laclede rotunda yesterday, there was scarcely man in the circle who was willing to believe it, because it was an unnatural reasoning. It was contrary to the history of either of the animals but the doctor said it was true, and offered to wager any sum that he had Texas "jack" rabbit that would fight any dog in the city. He was not so sure that the rabbit could whip all the dogs in town, but he was certain that he would fight.
 Several weeks ago." aaid Dr. Leslie, "a lady friend of my wife, living in Texas, sent eur little son jack rabbit for a birthday present. On taking the animal to my home in Carondelet we found 1t thoroughly domes- ticated, and it seemed to be perfectly de- lighted with it's new surroundings in the city. It soon got on familiar terms with the boy, sometimes jumping into the little yUon nY1 ha T1lo JJiRh riI then jumping out again. I have fine hunting dog at home who seemed to be very jealous of the Texas importation, and he showed his disRpproval of the rabbits pres- ence by running over it at every opportunity
 We'll the rabbit got tired of being snubbed by the dog, and last Sunday while the two were in the yard attacked the dog, and whipped him. Jumping on the dogs back, it clutched his neck with it's teeth and fas- tened it's claws firmly in his back and side. The dog was powerless to defend himself, so he howled for assistance. When they parted the rabbit was locked up. My wife told me of the battle when went home in the evening, and determined to give the dog another chance Accordingly on Monday morning I dropped the rabbit down in the yard beside the dog. As quick as a flash the attack was made by the rabbit, as on the previous day, and the dog was whipped the second time. The neighbors brought in their dogs, and all shared the fate of my dog. examined the rabbit closely and I found that it was an extraordinary one. The lower jaw of the common rabbit is flat and smooth. This rabbit has two sharp tusks on the lower jaw, each of them three-quarters of an inch in length. In this it resembles the cat, and might add that the manner of attacking the dog is also after the style of the feline species. When it fights it's long ears are laid flat on the back ot the neck, and it strikes with it's claws at the vital parts of the dog, in this latter respect having the instincts and seeming training of professional squir- rel fighter. Itis, indeed, curious freak of nature, fer which I am wholly unable to ac- count. I have arranged an exhibition fight between the rabbit and some dogs several of my friends have promised to bring in to whip it."