LADDER 423 



HaHE or IvAKI'.IT FaaULV 



Leporidse. Leapers 



(NihhIkt (if North AiiuTicaii Siu'cics, Twelve or .More) 



Long ears; long liiiid legs; sliort, u|)tumea tail; five 

 front and four hind toes, Avitli hairy pads. Vegetable 

 eaters; living in forms or burrows. 



Wood Hare (or Gray Rabbit) Lepus sylvaticus. 



Len.iith of body, 1(5 inches ; tail, 2] inches. 

 Varying Hare Lepus americanus. 



Length of body, 20 inclies ; tail, 21 inclies. 



Jack Rabbit Lepus melanotis. 



Lengtli of body, 2 feet ; tail, 3 inches. 

 Marsh Hare Lepus palustris. 



Length of body, 17 inches ; tail If inches. 



ORDER OF FLESH EATERS 

 Carnivora 

 Having four long, pointed, curved, canine (doglike) teeth, 

 with small, pointed incisors, or cutting teeth, between ; never 

 less than four toes on each foot. The animals in this order 

 are chiefly meat eaters, living on the flesh of warm-blooded 

 animals. Some individuals need a mixed diet, and eat vege- 

 tables liberally. 



Tf we expect to remember their different habits, we must 

 divide this order into : I. Land Livers ; II. \\'ater I\len (see 

 page 427). 



l^rvrsrox \ 



TRUE FLESH-EATING LAND MAMMALS 



Toes sharply clawed. In some individuals the claws can 

 be drawn back and concealed, to keep them sharp and free 

 from wear and tear. (\Ye see this when the house cat 

 sheathes her claws.) Some of this group are sole walkers, 

 and some step only on the toe pads. 



