MAMMALIA. 457' 



highly developed. The eyes are very large and prominent, and being 

 placed laterally, enable the animal to see in all directions, or nearly so, at 

 the same time. The common hare of Europe {L. timidus) is figured in 

 pi. 107, fig. 5, whilst fig. 6 represents the nibbit or cony {L. .cuniculuh). 

 North America has many species : the polar hare {L. glacialis), inhabiting 

 the northernmost part of the continent, its southern limit being 62° north 

 latitude. The American hare {L. americamis), found about Hudson's Bay, 

 Canada, Newfoundland, all the New England States, and in the northern 

 portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio ; confined to the eastern 

 portion of the continent. The swamp hare (Z. aquaticits)^ from Alabama,' 

 Mississippi, lower part of Louisiana, and even Texas. The wood hare' 

 {L. sylvaiicus\ or common grey rabbit, is found almost throughout the 

 United States. The marsh hare {L. palustris) inhabits the southern and 

 western parts of the United States, The Nuttall's hare {L. nuitalli) is 

 originally from the west side of the Rocky Mountains, in the neighborhood 

 of the Columbia and Shoshonee rivers. The Bachman's hare {L. hachmani) 

 inhabits the south-west portion of North America. The wormwood hare 

 {L. artemisice) is from the Eocky Mountains. The prairie hare {L. ioivn- 

 sendi) is found on both sides of the Eocky Mountains in- the region of 

 the Columbia Eiver, and ranges eastwards on the Missouri, beyond the 

 Yellowstone Eiver. The Californian hare {L. ca.lifornicus) inhabits Cali- 

 fornia, in the open hilly country which surrounds the harbor of San Diego.' 

 The Texan hare {L. texianus). The Mexican hare {L. nigri-caudatus) in 

 Mexico and adjoining parts of California. 



In South America there is but one species of hare hitherto noticed. 

 The remains of a fossil species were discovered in the caverns of Brazil, 

 which resemble very closely the species now living in the same country. 

 The hares were numerous in Europe during the epoch of the diluvium, 

 and resemble also very closely the actual species inhabiting the ancient 

 continent, 



Fam. 2, Hystricidje, The hystriciiie rodents have four molar teeth 

 above and four below, rooted or rootless, and the terminal portion of 

 the snout clothed with short hairs. This family may be divided into 

 six sub-families. 



Sub-fam. 1. Caviina have rootless molar teeth divided by folds of enamel,' 

 so as to form lobes having acute angles ; the series of molars on opposite 

 sides of the upper jaw converging, and nearly meeting in front. The 

 incisor teeth are comparatively short, those of the lower jaw not being 

 extended backwards as far as the springing of the angular portion, or 

 descending ramus. There are four toes to the fore feet and three to the 

 hind. The tail is wanting, or rudimentary ; the upper lip entire. The 

 clavicles are wanting. 



The genus Dolichotis comprehends the cavies provided with long limbs ; 

 ears fully half as long as the head, pointed, broad at the base, and deeply 

 eraarginated behind ; the tail is very short, and recurved. The Patagonian 

 cavy is the only species contained in this genus. 



The genus Cavia (cavies) is composed of species provided with short 



G61 



