60 LEPUS NKTSCHERI. 



rows for tlieir residence ; but the variability ol these cha- 

 racteristics in the dififerent species does not allow a strict 

 application of them. In comparing, for instance, the 

 mountain-hare of South-Africa (Lepus saxatilis) and the 

 Japanese species (Lepus brachyurus) to the common hare 

 (Lepus timidus) we are obliged to range all the three 

 species under the true hares with long legs; although we 

 find , that the mountain-hare has the tail and ears 

 considerably longer than our common hare , whereas the 

 Japanese hare has the tail and ears as short as our com- 

 mon rabbit. The same variability not coinciding with 

 other characteristics , exists Avith respect to the nature of the 

 fur. We know that in the majority of species the wool 

 viz : the imperfect hairs , grows at the expense of the 

 true or perfectly developed hairs , and that such is 

 in a great measure the case in some species during the 

 cold season. In the Chinese hare (Lepus sinensis) , for 

 instance the hairs are developed at the expense of 

 the wool , which is somewhat longer and coarser than 

 in most of the other species , and in the small hare of 

 Assam and Butan (Lepus hispidus) , the hair is stiffened 

 even to rigidness. 



The known species , inhabiting the old world , the 

 South-Eastern limits of the geographical range of the hare- 

 tribe are the following. 



1. Lepus nigricollis, Fr. Cuvier (Lepus melanauchen, 

 Temrainck , lapsu pennae) , a true hare distinguished by 

 its black neck , inhabiting the Indian peninsula and the 

 island of Ceylon. This species occurs also in a wild state 

 in some restricted parts of North- Western Java , but it is 

 generally believed , that it has been introduced at an ear- 

 lier period from Ceylon , a similar introduction having 

 likewise taken place in the isle of Mauritius. 



2. Lepus hispidus, Pearson; Caprolagus hispidus, Blyth, 

 from Butan and Assam. This is an anomalous species , 

 not only by its rigid hair , but more especially by its short 

 ears , measuring only two thirds of those of our common 



Notes from the Leyclen Miiseiim , Vol. II. 



