ILLUSTRATIONS. 89 



NOTE 20. 



The lepua americanus described by Linnsens evidently means our wild rabbit. 

 It cannot apply to the northern hare, which is evidently larger than it. 



Dr. Belknap denominates our hare the lepus timidus, or common hare, and 

 our rabbit the lepus cuniculus, or common rabbit of Europe. He is mistaken in 

 both appellations. The common bare does not exist in this country, nor, it is 

 believed, in any part of America, although Linnaeus says that it inhabits Europe, 

 Asia, and America. We certainly have no animal corresponding with it. Nor 

 does our hare resemble the lepus variabilis, as described by Linnaeus. He says 

 that it inhabits the northern hills of Europe, Asia, and America, migrates in 

 troops in winter into the plains, and returns in spnng to the mountains ; that it is 

 easily tamed, is playful, and fond of honey. This does not, in any respect, apply 

 to our hare, nor does his description of its color and changes apply. Our hare 

 is the most wild and indocile of animals. I had several of them caught alive at 

 Albany, with a view of letting them loose for propagation in the thick, impene- 

 trable swamps of Long Island ; hut such was their wildne=s that of twenty or 

 thirty procured for that purpose, they either pined away, or killed themselves by 

 beating against their cages, and I therefore could not succeed in my plan. 

 They were entirely white, and their flesh is excellent. 



Kalra describes our wild rabbit as a hare, and as much smaller than the Swedish 

 hare, and but little bigger than that of the rabbit of Europe. (Kalrri's Tr'ivtls, 

 vol. 1.) He further says, that the hare at Hudson's Bay, and in Canada, (the 

 hare of which I speak,) perfectly corresponds with the Swedish hare, being in 

 summer of a brownish gray color, and in winter of a snowy white. Mr. Pennant 

 says, that the varying hare weighs only six pounds and a half, the common hare 

 upwards of eight pounds, and the american hare, or our wild rabbit, from three 

 pounds tight ounces to four pounds and a half ; and he says that the first is met 

 with in Canada aad Newfoundland, after which the species cease? to the south- 

 ward, or at least he has no authority for its beiji continued ; the hare of New 

 England seeming, by Josselyn's account, to be the american hare or wild rabbit, 

 that inhabits Greenland, and is found about the rocks at Churchill, and the straits 

 of Hudson's Bay, but that it is not common. We must, therefore, succumb to 

 these great authorities, and acknowledge that our hare is, at least, a variety of 

 the lepus variabilis of Europe. So far, however, from being confined to Canada, 

 as is represented, it is in great numbers about Albany, and has been seen near 

 forty miles to the south of that place, on the east side of the Hudson. Its food 

 i* said to be grass, white mo?", and the bark of the birch-tree, of which it is very 

 fond ; it does not J^nrrow in the ground, but hajbors in hollow trees. Dr. Wil- 



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