582 U. Ss. P. R. R, EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
The skull of this species is actually shorter than that of LZ. cuniculus, the domestic rabbit ; 
it is, however, svider and larger in the cerebral portion ; the muzzle much shorter and higher, 
the nasais being shorter and considerably broader. The differences between the species are very 
great. 
This species, in summer dress, is readily distinguished from L. campestris by its prevailing 
tint of reddish brown, instead of gray, the black border on the posterior portion of the con- 
vexity of the ear, &c. In winter, the fur in LZ. americanus is lead color on its basal half; in 
LI. campestris, pure white ; both have the median bar of reddish. In all seasons the tail and ears 
are much shorter ; the internal surface of the ears less densely furred and not so pure white ; 
the black in a narrow band on the posterior margin of the ear, instead of a terminal patch at 
the tip, &c. The size is every way less; the difference particularly observable in the skulls. 
This hare is very abundant in the northeastern portions of the United States, and, according 
to Richardson, reaches as far north as latitude 68°. In the regions north of the Missouri plains 
it is replaced by the L. campestris, and on the northwest coast by the L. washingtonti. South- 
ward it is common as far as the northern counties of Pennsylvania, and extends along the 
Alleghany range into Virginia. It is not rare along the summit level of the Baltimore and 
Ohio railroad. 
Owing to its habit of keeping in thick tangled swamps, especially cedar swamps, this species 
is not so readily met with in localities even where it abounds as the small gray rabbit, D. 
sylvaticus. 
The synonymy of this species has been somewhat confused, but has been very admirably dis- 
entangled by Dr. Bachman in the several articles quoted above. Some remarks on his reference 
of Schreber’s article on L. nanus will be found under the head of L. sylvaticus. 
List of specimens. 
Measurements. 
2 = se | 2 > 
g Ss Fl Locality. When col- | Whence and how ob-| Natureofspe-) || =| &| |. |S /% a Sse =| 
a to & | lected. tained. cimen. esa ae ed =P Ped et Mec es =|) || 
a ea o) 3) 8) 2 (s)8 2) es) e1 ene 
Seer Ie 218)'8 1 Silo | tealo. sala ea 
ct ie feleleislelglelslelele 
6/5 |} a | zlzlz(/2/e|e|elelalala 
250 | 1202 | Quebec................,Aug. 1853..| S. F. Bai | SKIN ccs cececel veces 3.33/4.00/20.00)1,50/2.25) 5,50 . 3.00 
seeees Middleboro’, Mass ..... Nov. 27, 1855 «+/3. 7521.00) ....)0000/2.25,5.15 3.35 
Dee, 8, 1855) : wceeleces| sees [18.50) 006 ° 
Nov. 30, 1855 KG seeslsschQrne Se bee ed ey Cece nia CaBh 3 
. Noy. 23, 1855 
««|Oct, 23, 1855 
Oct. 17, 1855 
+-|Dee, 2, 1855) . 5 . ar 
. |Dec. 24, 1855], Pi seeelee eden seeeleces! : . 
. May 7, 1856 i" Peeticweslsorc}acsss Pe ne: 
| Winter seve sleeeeleoees 
cos GO..s00. ceceleceu|coem 
Sept. 6,1855] S. F. Baird... c.c000) 2. sdOsccceas cee cnpeleces| cece) LO-00).... [e005 33.05 ..../3.60 
Oet. 14,1855 2.50 1,40/3.17 
Winter......| Market....esesecee see sd0scecseeeeee! Seee|eees|eoes|21.00].000] 00 3.17 1.61|3.60 
GOs. 000 | evccsshOrccsrecvcsever!sssOsseccccvees ce 3ibs ..., )3.40 
. 1,1854 idee ctioeenimeetl as Oss ctiea desl aves loves 3.15 1.60]... 
ie 2, 1855 ese weedleeedQscece cecclres ++./3.60 18.00/1,15 2,25) +++. 5,683.25 1,.65/3.38 
66 | 969 |...... | Northern Pennsylvania. Winter..... »./4.18 19.00/00. )eeeseeee seesleeee wees 3.40 
af 9705) cececs|aquassves GG.s vopn ance vens leapaldsveess 4,37 22,001.00 1,752.55 5.50) ....!.... (8.40 
= | ; 
| 
13.52 17.00)....| e006 Br a fiche ca 
