104 THE HARE. 



We shall call the squirrel an animal of the hare-kind, 

 hecause we find some similitude between them ; and 

 include the paca in the same class, because it resem- 

 bles a rabbit in its form. 



Animals of the hare-kind, like all others that feed 

 entirely upon vegetables, are both timorous and in- 

 offensive ; for, as Nature furnishes them with an abund- 

 ant supply, they have not that rapacity after food 

 which those animals possess which do not find it so 

 easily attained. 



THE HARE. 



The hare is the largest, and most persecuted quad- 

 ruped, of the timorous race to which it belongs ; all 

 its muscles appear formed for swiftness, and all its 

 senses seem calculated to assist its flight : its eyes are 

 prominent, and placed so back in its head, that it can 

 almost see behind it as it runs : the ears are moveable, 

 and easily directed to any quarter from whence they 

 think they hear a sound, and are remarkakle for their 

 uncommon length : the hinder legs are longer than the 

 fore, which enables it to make a more rapid flight. 



An animal, so naturally formed for escape, might be 

 supposed to enjoy a length of life; but as every rapa- 

 cious creature is its well-known enemy, it seldom dies 

 from decay and years : clogs of all kinds pursue it by 

 instinct, whilst the cat and weasel are its ambushed 

 foes; and did it not multiply faster than it is destroyed, 

 there would soon be an end of this inoffensive race. 



The hare seems a general inhabitant of the globe, 

 and not attached to any particular place : in the 

 northern countries, they become white in winter, and, 

 in the southern ones, diminish in size ; their fur forms 

 a considerable article in the hat manufacture, and vast 



