RODENTIA. 137 



L. variabilis, Pall, Schreb. CCXXXV, B. (The Variable 

 Hare), Somewhat larger than the Common Hare, with rather 

 shorter ears and tail, the latter white at all seasons; the rest of the 

 fur is grey in summer, and white in winter. This animal, which is 

 found in the north, and on the higli mountains of the south of 

 Europe, has the habits of the common Hare, but its flesh is insipid. 



L. cuniculiis, L. ; BufF. VI, 1. (The Rabbit). Less than the 

 Hare; the ears somewhat shorter than the head; tail not so long as 

 the thigh; fur of a yellowish grey; some red on the neck; throat 

 and belly whitish ; ears grey, without any black ; some brown on 

 the tail. This animal, said to be originally from Spain, is now 

 spread throughout Europe. It lives in troops, in burrows, where it 

 takes refuge as soon as it is pursued. Its flesh, which is white and 

 agreeable, differs considerably from that of the Hare. In a domestic 

 state the Rabbit multiplies prodigiously, and varies as to colour and 

 fur. 



Other countries furnish several species which can only be distin- 

 guished from that of Europe by the closest attention. Such are the 



L. tolai, Gm., Schreb. CCXXXIV. The Siberian Rabbit). 

 Wliich is intermediate between the Hare and Rabbit as to propor- 

 tions, and which occasionally surpasses the former in size. It 

 makes no burrows, but seeks shelter in the clefts of rocks or other 

 cavities. 



L. Americanus and Braziliensis, Gm. ; Lepus nanus, Schreb. 

 CCXXXIV, B. (The American Rabbit). Nearly similar in size 

 and colour to the European species ; feet reddish ; no black on either 

 ears or tail. Nestles in the trunks of trees, and frequently goes up 

 in their hollows as far as their branches ; its flesh soft and insipid.* 



L.capensis,Gvci', Geoff., Quadr. d'Egypte. (The African Hare.) 

 Has ears a fifth longer than the head ; size and colour nearly those 

 of the European species; the feet, however, are a little longer and 

 somewhat reddish. It appears to be found from one extremity of 

 Africa to the other ; at least the one from Egypt does not differ 

 from that of the Cape. 



Lagomys, Cuv.\ 



Have moderate ears ; legs nearly alike : the infra-orbital hole simple ; 

 clavicles nearly perfect, and no tail ; they often utter a very acute cry. 

 They have hitherto been found in Siberia only, and it is Pallas (Glir. p, 1 

 et seq.) who has described them. 



Lepus pusilbis. Pall. Glir. I, Schreb. ccxxxvii. (The Dwarf 

 Lagomys). Of a greyish-brown ; the size of a Water-Rat. Lives 

 in small burrows, in fertile countries, on fruit and buds.j; 



* Add the Black-necked Rabbit of India, &c. 

 f Lagomys, i. e. Rat- Hare. 



X Pallas describes another still smaller species from the nortli-eastern extremity 

 of Asia, Lepus hyperboreus, Zoog. Russ. I, 152. 



