MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 231 
they, with the hares, have descended. The hares are, however, 
among the most widely distributed of rodents, and with the 
squirrels are found in most parts of the world, except Australia, 
the mice being the only family superior in this respect. 
Thus far a very few species of fossil hares have been found 
and these are united in the genus Paleolagus, Leidy, and are 
from the Miocene formations of America. Related species re- 
ferred at present to the same family have been found in Pliocene 
and later deposits also in America. The pikas (Lagomys) have 
not yet been found fossil in America, but are known to have 
inhabited the whole of Europe and England in Pliocene times. 
The geographical limits of the latter group has thus been 
greatly reduced meanwhile probably by the more extensive 
glaciation of Kurope. 
OSTEOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF LEPORID. 
There are long hypapophyses, or ventral median processes 
upon the anterior lumbar vertebree. These processes are almost 
peculiar to the hares. The anterior thoracic vertebra have 
very long spines. The transverse processes of the lumbar 
vertebree are also very long and, with the hypapophyses, serve 
to set off the interior muscular masses which play so important 
a part. 
The caudal vertebrz are few and those at the base have a 
great expansion of the transverse processes. 
The manubrium of the sternum is compressed and extended 
forward as in other rodents in which the clavicle is rudimen- 
tary. 
The skull has its longitudinal axis more or less strongly 
curved, the facial surface of the maxilla is perforate and cur- 
iously reticulated. The lachrymal bone is entirely within the 
orbit. 
The palate in rodents is usually narrow. In the hare the 
anterior palatine foramina are longitudinal slits of great size. 
The part of the palate between the molars is reduced to a very 
narrow bridge. 
The tympanic is anchylosed to the periotic and develops a 
well marked tubular auditory meatus which is directed upwards 
and backwards. The supraorbital process forms a great shield 
over the eye. The hyoid arch is reduced, the basihyal being 
compressed and keeled. 
The scapula is rather slender, the acromium is long, and 
there isa long metacromium. In the rabbit the clavicle develops 
