140 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



the characters of sentient, nutritive, and reproductive sys- 

 tems of the species, artificial combinations. Even when 

 there is a very close agreement among the species, in re- 

 gard to several systems of organs, remarkable differences 

 prevail in the functions of others. The genus Lepus, 

 universally considered as a natural one, may serve as an 

 illustration, by contrasting two of the best known spe- 

 cies, the hare and rabbit. These animals so nearly re- 

 semble each other in form and structure, that it has puz- 

 zled the most experienced zoologists to assign definite 

 distinguishing marks *. Yet there are many circumstan- 

 ces in which they, differ (besides the colour of the flesh, 

 when boiled, and their manner of escaping from their foes), 

 in reference to the reproductive system. The nest of the 

 hare is open, constructed without care, and destitute of a 

 lining of fur. The nest of the rabbit is concealed in a hole 

 of the earth, constructed of dried plants, and lined with fur 

 which is pulled from its own body. The young of the hare 

 at birth, have their eyes and ears perfect, their legs in a 

 condition for running, and their bodies covered with fur. 

 The young of the rabbit at birth, have their eyes and ears 

 closed, are unable to travel, and are naked. The maternal 

 duties of the hare are few in number, and consist in licking 

 the young dry at first, and supplying them regularly with 

 food. Those of the rabbit are more numerous, and con- 

 sist of the additional duties of keeping the young in a 

 suitable state of cleanliness and warmth. The circumstan- 

 ces attending the birth of a hare are analogous to those of 

 a horse, while those of the rabbit more nearly resemble the 

 fox. This illustration furnishes a very striking example of 



There is a paper by the Honourable DAINES HARRINGTON, containing 

 an " Investigation of the specific Characters which distinguish the Rabbit 

 from the Hare." Phil. Trans. 1772, p. 4. 



