HARE KIND. 119 



THE HARE. 



OF all these, the Hare is the largest, the most 

 persecuted, and the most timorous ; all its muscles 

 are formed for swiftness, and all its senses seem 

 only given to direct its flight. It has very large 

 prominent eyes, placed backwards in its head, so 

 that it can almost see behind as it runs. These 

 are never wholly closed ; but as the animal is 

 continually upon the watch, it sleeps with them 

 open. The ears are still more remarkable for 

 their size ; they are moveable, and capable of 

 being directed to every quarter ; so that the 

 smallest sounds are readily received, and the ani- 

 mal's motions directed accordingly. The mus- 

 cles of the body are very strong, and without fat, 

 so that it may be said to carry no superfluous 

 burden of flesh about it ; the hinder feet are 

 longer than the fore, which still adds to the rapi- 

 dity of its motions ; and almost all animals that 

 are remarkable for their speed, except the horse, 

 are formed in the same manner. 



An animal so well formed for a life of escape, 

 might be supposed to enjoy a state of tolerable 

 security ; but as every rapacious creature is its 

 enemy, it but very seldom lives out its natural 

 term. Dogs of all kinds pursue it by instinct, 

 and follow the hare more eagerly than any other 

 animal. The cat and the weasel kinds are con- 

 tinually lying in ambush, and practising all their 

 little arts to seize it ; birds of prey are still more 

 dangerous enemies, as against them no swiftness 



