NATURAL HISTORY. 129 



" Never mole, hare-lip, nor scairo, 

 Nor make prodigous, such as are." SHAKSPEUE. 



scantily covered with hair, and for nearly six weeks the doe 

 continues to suckle them. 



395. It is a curious circumstance that the individuals composing this genus 

 present very great differences in their habits. Some, as the hare, arc found 

 throughout the day resting oil one particular spot, frequently in a kind of arbour 

 formed of the high rank grass occasionally scattered over fields ; at other times in 

 hedgerows, or against a clod of earth, but never attempting to burrow ; others, as 

 the rabbit, are most expert miners, sinking long galleries, without any regular 

 order, in which they rest during the day, and bring up their young ; and it is said 

 that they never forsake the burrow which they have once inhabited ; whilst, again, 

 others make nests and squat either amongst heaps of large, loose stones, or in the 

 clefts of rocks, seeming to have a disposition to live in holes, without taking the 

 trouble of burrowing. It is a very curious fact with regard to rabbits, that if once 

 domesticated, they lose this disposition to burrow, and the produce of tame rabbits 

 do not attempt such a proceeding. Mr. Harrington accounts for this by supposing 

 that they do not burrow because not previously taught by the old rabbits. This 

 may be the reason, in some degree. "We have all witnessed the efforts of an old cat 

 to teach its kittens to catch mice ; and, although kittens not so instructed still retain 

 the instinct to seize their natural prey, doubtless those that are properly instructed 

 become the best mousers. 



396. Why is a divided, lip in the human being called a 

 "hare-lip?" 



Because the upper lip of the hare is slit or divided on the mesial 

 line ; and from its resemblance to this, the divided lip, when it 

 occurs in the human being, is so called. 



397. Why is it commonly said that persons of flighty conduct 

 are " mad as March hares ? " 



Because in the month of March hares are characterised by 

 greater activity and boldness than at other times. It is their 

 rutting season ; the male pursues the female by the sagacity of its 

 nose, and when following the scent appears to lose its usual 

 timidity and sagacity. The country, too, is dry, and in the best 

 state for the running of the hare ; and the leverets of the last 

 season have acquired strength and agility. 



398. Why is the hare so called ? 



It is suggested that the name arises from the declaration 

 of PMny that the hare is the ""hairiest creature of all others." Ic 



6* 



