HARE KIND. l 



proper to open it ; for if they begin too soon, the 

 animal wakes, and, as it has a surprising faculty 

 of digging, makes its hole deeper in proportion 

 as they follow. Such as kill it for food, use every 

 art to improve the flesh, which is said to have a 

 wild taste, and to cause vomitings.* They there- 

 fore take away the fat, which is in great abun- 

 dance, and salt the remainder, drying it some- 

 what in the manner of bacon. Still, however, it 

 is said to be very indifferent eating. This ani- 

 mal is found in Poland under the denomination 

 of the Bobak, entirely resembling that of the 

 Alps, except that the latter has a toe more upon 

 its fore-foot than the former. It is found also in 

 Siberia under the name of the Jevraska, being ra- 

 ther smaller than either of the other two. Lastly, 

 it is found in Canada by the appellation of the 

 Monax, differing only from the rest in having a 

 blueish snout, and a longer tail. 



THE AGOUTI. 



FROM the marmot, which differs from the hare 

 so much in the length of its fur, we go to the 

 Agouti, t another species equally differing in the 

 shortness of its hair. These bear some rude re- 

 semblance to the hare and the rabbit in their 



* Dictionnaire Raisonne, vol. iii. p. 29. 



[f The Agouti, Paca, Aperea, and Guinea- Pig, have two wedge-like 

 cutting teeth in each jaw, and eight grinders on each side in both jaws : the 

 fore-feet are furnished with four or five toes; the hind-feet with three, 

 four, or five each: the tail is either very short or entirely wanting; and 

 they have no clavicles or collar-bones.] 

 VOL. III. L 



