226 LEPORID.E. 



209. Lepus hispidus. 



PEARSON. BLYTH, Cat. p. 133. 



THE HISPID HARE. 



Descr. General colour dark or iron-gray with an embrowned ruddy 

 tinge ; limbs and body shaded externally with black j the tail rufescent 

 both above and below ; the inner fur short, soft, downy, of an ashy hue ; 

 the outer longer, hispid, harsh and bristly, some of the hairs annulated 

 black and yellow-brown, others pure black and longer, the wholly black 

 hair more abundant than the lighter ones. The ears are very short, 

 and broad. 



Length of one, head and body 19 J inches ; tail with the hair 2| ; ear 2|. 



This curious hare is of a very dark hue, of a heavy make, with small 

 eyes, make more rabbit-like, with small eyes, short and stout limbs, 

 and short whiskers. It is popularly called the black rabbit at Dacca and 

 elsewhere, and it is said to burrow in the ground like rabbits. It inhabits 

 the Terai at the foot of the Himalayas, from Goruckpore to Assam, ex- 

 tending south to Dacca, and probably still further, and even it is said to 

 the Eajmahal hills. It frequents jungly places, long grass, bamboos, 

 &c., shunning observation ; and, from its retired habits, is very difficult 

 to observe and obtain ; and it perhaps has a more extended distribution 

 through lower Bengal than that noted above. I have only seen it near 

 Dacca. The flesh is stated to be white, like that of the rabbit. 



The next group is a Northern or Arctopolitan form. 



Gen. LAGOMYS, Cuvier. 



Char. Incisors double, as in hares ; molars j ears short, rounded ; 



5 5 



claws curved ; no tail ; limbs short and slender; clavicles perfect. Of small 

 size. This genus, called by some the calling hare, by others the barking 

 mouse, is composed of a few species from the northern regions of both 

 continents, one of which crosses the ridge of the Himalayas. They are 

 called by some travellers tailless rats. They construct curious and intri- 

 cate burrows, and have a peculiar piping call, heard to a great distance. 



210. Lagomys Roylei. 



OGILBY, figured in KOYLE'S 111. Bot. Himalayas, pi, 4. L. nipalensis, 

 HODGSON, L. Hodgsoui, BLYTH. 



