ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 79 



and the leaves and buds of shrubs, but in winter, when the 

 snow is deep they gain a precarious subsistence from the buds 

 and bark of the willow, the birch, and the poplar. When pur- 

 sued, the rabbit (so called) soon becomes wearied, but the 

 hare is so fleet that being in no fear of being overtaken by its 

 pursuers, it seeks no concealment ; it has been known by 

 measurement to clear 21 feet at one bound, and its body is so 

 light in comparison with its broad, furry feet, that it is enabled 

 to skim easily along the surface of deep snows, while the 

 wearied hounds plunge. in at every bound. There are thirteen 

 other species, but all confined to Arctic latitudes. 



