364 



3Di*ncuri) at 



sects, which are sometimes seen, in vast 

 numbers, in hop plantations, &e., where they 

 are of infinite service in destroying the 

 various species of Aphides, which are so pre- 

 judicial to certain plants and fruit-trees. 

 (.See COCCINELLA.] 



L^MODIPODA. The name of an order 

 of marine Crustaceans, with sessile eyes, and 

 in which the posterior extremity of the body 

 exhibits no distinct brand ii;c. The body is 

 almost linear or filiform, and with the head 

 consists of eight or nine segments, with some 

 small tubercle-like appendages at its pos- 

 terior and inferior extremity : the limbs are 

 terminated by a strong hook. The females 

 carry their ova beneath the second and third 

 segments of the body in a pouch formed of 

 approximated scales. The Cf/amus Ceti, or 

 Whale louse, is an example of this order. 



LAGOMYS. A genus of Rodent Quad- 

 rupeds, separated from the Hares. The 

 ALPINE LAGOMYS (Laijnmys Alpinus) has 

 sometimes been confounded with the Vary- 

 ing Hare, in consequence of the latter having 

 also obtained the name of A Ipine ; but is a 

 far smaller animal, scarce exceeding a 

 Guinea-pig (Cavia capnyba) in size, and 

 measuring only nine inches in length ; while 

 it has a long head, and the ears are short, 

 broad, and rounded. It is a native of the 

 Altaic mountains, extending even as far as 

 Kamtschatka ; inhabiting woody tracts 

 amidst rocks and cataracts, and forming 

 burrows beneath the rocks, or lodging in 

 their fissures. In fair weather they seldom 

 leave their holes in the day-time ; but when 

 the weather is dull they are seen runnin 



about among the rocks, and frequently ut- 

 ig a sort of whistle or chirping bird- like 

 d. During the autumn they prepare 



for their winter support, by collecting a 

 plentiful assortment of the finest herbs and 

 grasses ; which, after drying in the sun, they 

 dispose into heaps of various sizes, according 

 to the number of animals employed in form- 

 ing them : these are easily distinguishable 

 even through the deep snow, being often 

 several feet in height and breadth. These 

 little hayricks, raised by their industrious 

 labours, are often found of great service to 

 the adventurous sable-hunters, whose horses 

 would perish were it not for the supplies 

 which they thus occasionally discover. For 

 this reason the Alpine Hare has a name 

 among every Siberian and Tartar nation 

 where it is found : a circumstance which 

 marks its importance to society ; for few 

 animals, so diminutive, are noticed in those 

 regions, unless possessed of some valuable 

 or attractive qualities. 



The OGOTONA HARE. (Lagomys Ogotona.) 

 This little animal, whose length is only six 

 inches, inhabits the vast deserts of Mongolia, 

 and the frontiers of Chinese Tartary, living 

 in sandy plains or on rocky mountains. It 

 sometimes burrows under the soil, or con- 

 ceals itself under heaps of stones, and forms 

 a soft nest at no great depth from the sur- 

 face. Before the approach of winter these 

 animals collect large quantities of herbs, 

 with which they fill their holes; and, di- 



rected by the same instinct as the Alpine 

 Lagomys,they also form hemispherical ricks 

 of hay, about a foot high, for their support 

 during the inclement season. The colour of 

 the Ogotona Hare is a pale brown above, 

 and white beneath : on the nose is a yel- 

 lowish spot, which colour is seen on the out- 

 sides of the limbs and the space about the 

 up. Hawks, magpies, and owls indiscri- 

 minately prey on them ; but their most 

 formidable enemies are the cat, the fitchet, 

 and the ermine. 



The CALLING HARE (Lagomys pmiUus) 

 extremely resembles the Ogotona Hare, just 

 described, but is rather smaller. The head 

 is long, and covered with fur to the very tip 

 of the nose ; the ears are large and rounded. ; 

 and the legs very short. The whole body is 

 covered with very soft, long, smooth fur, 

 of a brownish lead colour, with the hairs 

 tipped with black ; but on the sides a yel- 

 lowish tinge prevails. It is an inhabitant 

 of the south-east parts of Kussia, and is an 

 animal of so solitary a nature, that it is very 

 rarely to be seen even in places it most fre- 

 quents. It commonly chooses its residence 



MNO HARE. (LAGOMYS PUSILT..OS ) 



dry gentle declivity, where the turf 

 and covered with bushes : it there 



in some 

 is firm 



forms an obliquely descending burrow, the 

 entrance of which is scarcely more than two 

 inches in diameter ; and so numerous and 

 intricate are the avenues which lead to their 

 retreats, that they would with great diffi- 

 culty be discovered, did not their voice be- 

 tray them. This voice resembles the piping 

 of a quail, but is so loud that it may be heard 

 at a surprising distance, particularly as 

 there is nothing in the structure of its or- 

 gans which can account for so powerful a 

 tone. These little animals are of an ex- 

 tremely gentle disposition, and easily tamed. 

 Their pace is a kind of leaping motion, but 

 not very quick, nor do they run well, on 

 account of the shortness of their legs. 



LAGOPUS. [See PTARMIGAN.] 



LAGOSTOMUS. A genus of Rodent 

 Mammalia, in which the fore feet are fur- 

 nished with four toes, the hinder with three 

 only, as in the Cavies, all of them armed 

 with stout claws adapted for digging. The 

 ears are of moderate size, and the tail com- 

 paratively short. Their three anterior mo- 

 lars of the upper jaw consist each of two 

 double layers, and the last of three. The 

 only known species (Lagostomus trichodac- 

 tiilujf) is about the size of a Hare, and in- 

 habits Chili and Brazil : its general colour 



