For a study of the evolution of breeds, the rabbit is passed, since the parent species still exists wild and hybridization has not occurred with any second species to complicate the process. This discussion of the rabbit will therefore help the rabbit breeder better to understand the genetic constitution of his animals and so to be able to alter that constitution to suit his purposes. At the same time, students of genetics will find the information useful in enabling them to understand what rabbit breeders of this and previous centuries have accomplished and how they have been able to accomplish it.