THE HARE. 119 



those parts of his frame bestowed on him by Providence 

 to secure him from the dangers by which he is surrounded 

 both from man, birds of prey, and vermin. The ears of 

 this animal are formed for conveying sound at a great 

 distance, and whether the sound comes sideways, straight, 

 before or behind, these useful organs give timely notice 

 to this timid animal. Another great advantage which 

 tlie hare has in running, is the muscular strength of his 

 legs, particularly the hind ones, which are considerably 

 longer than the fore-legs ; and I have often seen, on tlie 

 dowTis in Dorsetshire, a hare in the month of i\Iarch run 

 up a steep hill, without being once turned b}^ a brace of 

 well-bred greyhounds. This animal is so fully aware 

 of this advantage, that on being started, it will instantly 

 make for any rising ground that may be near him. The 

 eyes of the hare are large, and situated in the upper 

 part of the head, and so protidjerant as to enable her 

 when in her form to see all around her ; they are kept 

 constantly open when awake or asleep, the lid being too 

 short to cover them. There is little doubt, that, although 

 the hare possesses considerable expanse of sight, they are 

 not able to enjoy an equally distant one. When hunted 

 by harriers, or coursed by greyhounds, this general 

 vision of the eye is most useful to her, particularly when 

 pursued by greyhounds, as it warns her to make the 

 various twists and turns, by which she frequently escapes 

 being seized by the dogs, and at last reaches some hedge 

 or cover, secure from danger. The feet of the hare are 

 well protected by a thick hairy covering, which in veiy 

 dry or frosty weather gives her a considerable advantage 

 over the dogs pursuing her, from its having less scent ; 

 as young hares tread heavier than those that are full 

 grown, the scent is stronger. Hares during the daytime 



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