This book is a scientific account of the spread of myxomatosis in Australia and Europe.

1. History and distribution of myxomatosis; 2. The Leporidae; 3. The rabbit in Australia; 4. Rabbit biology and behaviour; 5. Myxoma virus: its classification, structure and properties; 6. Interactions between myxoma virus and the host cell; 7. the host range of myxoma and fibroma viruses; 8. Myxomatosis in Oryctolagus cuniculus: pathogenesis and histopathology; 9. Myxomatosis in Oryctolagus cuniculus: the immunological response; 10. Myxomatosis in Oryctolagus cuniculus: environmental effects; 11. Mechanisms of transmission of myxomatosis; 12. Transmission in the field: Australian observations; 13. Changes in the virulence of myxoma virus for Oryctolagus cuniculus; 14. Changes in the genetic resistance of Oryctolagus cuniculus to myxomatosis; 15. Myxomatosis in the Americas; 16. Myxomatosis in Australia, 1950-63; 17. Myxomatosis in Europe, 1936-63; 18. The continuing evolution of myxomatosis; Map; Bibliography; Index.