Snowshoe-rabbit 651 



for shortly before it had been running from me. But it did as 

 many others have done in dire extremity, and in this case at 

 least proved it the part of wisdom, for a little later it went its 

 way in peace. 



W. G. Tweddell calls my attention to the fact that some- strange 

 times White-hares are caught bearing dermoid cysts, within, stances 

 which is a growth covered with skin, more or less hairy, and 

 sometimes even provided with teeth. The Indians treasure 

 these as great medicine and call them Pee'-to-wab-oos-ongs/ 

 that is 'the little Rabbit within.' To pass one of these through 

 a Rabbit snare is, they believe, to guarantee its immediate 

 success. Such cysts are well known and have already been 

 mentioned in the Moose chapter (p. 182.) 



This same hunter relates another strange case: In 

 February, 1883, while hunting with the Chief Metwayash at 

 Rabbit Point Lake, Manitoba, he caught sight of a Snowshoe- 

 rabbit twenty feet up a sloping tree. On examination it was 

 found dead and frozen stiff, one leg caught In a crotch. He is 

 satisfied that it was not put there by any man, but that the 

 creature ran up, possibly scared by a Fox, then slipping was 

 caught and held till dead. This Is the first time that he ever 

 heard of a Rabbit climbing a tree. 



A singular monument was found on Turtle Mountain In 

 1896 by A. S. Barton. While seeking an old Indian camp on a 

 wooded hill he found several piles of Rabbit skeletons — skulls 

 and other bones complete. The piles were three or four feet 

 across and a foot high. 



I doubt not these Rabbits were collected by the Indians in 

 time of plenty. They had secured hundreds of them and left 

 them frozen. In the spring when they moved away these 

 were left to rot. 



The knowledge that the White-hare Is so subject to com- 

 disease may keep many from using it for food, thus exemplify- value 

 Ing the danger of a little knowledge. These persons should 

 remember, first, that there Is no record of any one getting 



