88 Mr. J. E. Harting on Forest Animals. 



become worn by gnawing, they continue to grow forward, 

 and so a fresh supply of tooth, so to say, is always main- 

 tained. If by any accident (as by a shot or otherwise) one 

 of the incisors should get broken or misplaced, the tooth 

 with which it should come into contact, not meeting with 

 any resistance, continues to grow downwards or upwards, 

 as the case may be, and gradually assumes the appearance 

 of a bony circle outside the mouth, to the great incon- 

 venience of the poor animal, sometimes, indeed, causing 

 death by starvation. 



In the case of the rabbit, as many of you have doubtless 

 observed, such malformations are not uncommon. The 

 canine teeth being, as I have said, absent, there is quite a 

 gap between the incisors and the grinders, the latter being 

 so regular and similar in appearance that it is difficult to 

 recognize any distinction of molars and premolars. 



The articulation of the lower jaw with the skull is pecu- 

 liar, for while it results in increasing the power of the 

 incisors or cutting teeth, it prevents much lateral movement 

 of the jaw, and ensures, as much as possible, the meeting 

 of the incisors in both jaws. 



I might proceed to point out other peculiarities of struc- 

 ture which distinguish the Eodents from other animals ; 

 but I fear to weary you with dry details, and will therefore 

 merely call your attention to the strong and muscular hind 

 limbs which they possess, enabling them to leap and run 

 with great facility and swiftness. They may be said to be 

 all vegetable eaters, although some of the species, like the 

 common rat and house-mouse, are omnivorous. 



In the case of such common animals as the Hare and 

 Eabbit, it is not to be supposed that I can say anything 

 very new ; but I may assume on the present occasion that 

 there are some who, though perfectly familiar with the 

 outward appearance of these animals, may not have paid 

 much attention to their natural history. 



In many respects hares and rabbits, though externally 

 somewhat similar in shape and colour (I once shot a wild 

 rabbit of the exact colour of a hare) , are very dissimilar. 



Babbits are born bhnd, and nearly naked ; while young 



