672 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



large 'water blisters' or 'boils' are occasionally found, which 

 are the larvae of a tape-worm (Tania serialis). This larva is 

 called Ccenurus seriahs, and has been found in the California 

 Jack-rabbit (Lepus calif ornicus), the Prairie-hare (L. cam- 

 pestrts), the Old World Hare (L. timidus) and Rabbit (L. 

 cuniculus), the coypu of South America (Myopotamus coypu), 

 a species of Squirrel (Sciurus), and in the horse. Ccenurus 

 does not develop into the adult tape-worm in any of these ani- 

 mals; but in the dog and the Coyote, which eat many Rabbits, 

 it reaches the adult stage."" 



The Whitetails in my grounds have died from enteritis, 

 pneumonia, and what I took to be hemorrhagic septicaemia. 



HORNED Rabbits with horns are frequently found in the dry region 



of the West. These horns are a disease, said to be a sort of 

 growth caused by the irritant power of a skin mite. I had 

 seen several Cottontails so afflicted, and had heard of Black- 

 tailed Jacks that were 'horny,' so that I was not surprised to 

 learn that L. G. Fisher, of Chicago, had a horned Prairie-hare 

 in his collection. He courteously permitted me to make the 

 accompanying sketch (Fig. i8i), but the specimen was in a 

 sealed case, so that I could not complete the examination. 

 The growth seemed to be of real horn and had no resem- 

 blance to the growths I have hitherto seen on Rabbits. 



AGE What age do they reach .? Analogy is our only source of 



light here. Cowper's tame Hares of the British species lived, 

 respectively, the male 8| years, the female lo years. Miller 

 Christy tells me that he knew of an English Hare that lived 

 12 years in captivity. 



TO MAN. 



SERVICE When in point, I have concluded each biography with a 



consideration of the creature's value, or service to man. In 

 the present case, this is not evident in material form. The 

 Prairie-hare's pelt is so fragile, in fur and in hide, that it 



" This list of hosts of Tcenia serialis was furnished by Dr. C. W. Stiles, U. S. Dept. 

 Agr. 



