

THE COMMON HARE. 299 



trived that an earthen pan,, placed under each, re- 

 ceived whatsoever fell from them. This being 

 regularly emptied and washed,, they were thus kept 

 perfectly sweet and clean. In the day-time, they 

 had the range of a hall; and at night, each retired 

 to his own bed, never intruding into that of ano- 

 ther. 



'" Puss grew presently familiar, would leap into 

 my lap, raise himself upon 'his hinder feet, and bite 

 the hair from my temples. He would suffer me to 

 take him up and carry him about in my arms; and 

 has, more than once, fallen fast asleep on my knee. 

 He was ill three days, during which time I nursed 

 him; kept him apart from his fellows, that they 

 might not molest him; (for, like many other wild 

 animals, they persecute one of their own species 

 that is sick;) and, by constant care, and trying 

 him with a variety of herbs, restored him to perfect 

 health. No creature could be more grateful than 

 my patient after his recovery ; a sentiment which 

 he most significantly expressed by licking my hand,, 

 first the back of it, then the palm, then every finger 

 separately, then between all the fingers, as if anxious 

 to leave no part unsaluted : a ceremony which he ne- 

 ver performed but once again, upon a similar occa- 

 sion. Finding him extremely tractable, I made it my 

 custom to carry him, always after breakfast, into 

 the garden, where he hid himself generally under 

 the leaves of a cucumber vine, sleeping or chewing 



the 



