RODENTIA. LEPORID^. 57 



gins, inferior flat on the external surfaces, and slightly grooved on 

 the internal, which are considerably narrower ; cutting surfaces 

 oblique, and ground down like a chisel. 



Dimensions. 



Length of the head and body, .... 

 xlead, ..••..•• 



Tail, 



Ears behind, 



Middle claw of the fore foot, .... 



" " « hind foot. 

 Height at the fore legs, 



Skull. 



From the incisors to the occipital spine, 

 From the incisors to the foramen magnum, 

 " " " meatus extern us. 



Height, 



Width at the zygomatic arches, 



Length of the lower jaw, 



Observations. The American Rabbit, as it is sometimes called, 

 exhibits more of the habits of the English animal of this name, 

 than either of the other species peculiar to this country. Thus, 

 when pursued, it flies to a hole for shelter, and, though it does 

 not burrow, it seeks some excavation, shallow, it is true, for the 

 rearing of its young. Its color scarcely changes in this climate. 

 Those in the neighbourhood of Williamstown are of a beautiful 

 glossy brown during the winter. I have, however, seen individu- 

 als which were distinctly gray during winter in the mountain 

 towns of Hampshire County. These were always confined to 

 swamps, though it would be perhaps safer to make the remark in 

 qualified terms, as my observations are too limited to be made a 

 general expression. I have thought it possible that we might 

 have two species of small hares, one of which is confined mostly 

 to wet and low places, and changes its coat in winter from brown 

 to gray. The suggestion is made for the purpose of exciting 

 inquiry. I have not been able to procure one of the gray va- 

 rieties, since engaged in this work. 



8 



