64 ■ The Hare. [Sess. 



the objective -^-^ inch. For the purpose of absorbing the heat 

 rays, an alum-bath is introduced before the first condenser, 

 which effectually prevents any heat being communicated to 

 the object during the transmission of the light. The whole 

 apparatus is, for rigidity and compactness, mounted on a cast- 

 iron base, having at one end an upright which holds the 

 mechanical stage and objective tubes. 



[Mr Dixon, who read the above paper, then showed a large number of 

 slides, including both animal and vegetable preparations, on the screen, 

 and the clear definition and illumination of these were much appreciated 

 by the members present.] 



XIII. — r^^ HARE. 

 By Mr TOM SPEEDY. 



{Read Aiwil 37, 1887.) 



In writing a paper such as the present upon any of the fauna 

 of our country, one is apt to take for his subject the badger, 

 the otter, the wild cat, or some other of those animals which 

 are exceptionally rare. I have, however, chosen one of the 

 most common of our wild animals, though modern legislation has 

 put it in a fair way of becoming very soon as extinct as the 

 great auk. A few years ago, several of our statesmen were 

 clamorous for the protection of sea-gulls, which are of compara- 

 tively little use to man, while they, in fact, by feeding to a 

 large extent upon young fish, tend to destroy the food-supplies 

 of the nation. That the feathered tribe should be protected 

 during the breeding season is only justice, in the interests of 

 humanity ; but the animal from which that most enjoyable re- 

 past, hare-soup, is made, is surely entitled to a like protection. 

 That the hare is now in many parts subjected to slaughter dur* 

 ing the entire year is beyond dispute ; and if steps are not forth- 

 with taken, and a law passed to protect them during the breed- 

 ing season, genuine hare-soup, like that of the turtle, will only 

 be indulged in by our wealthy gourmands, or vile imitations 

 will be palmed off upon the unwary. Notwithstanding that 

 the hare is so well known in all parts of the country, it is un- 

 doubted that there is a deal of popular ignorance regarding 



