88 HARE. RABBIT. 



60. Other Rodentia that have a prehensile tail like that of the 

 Sapajous, and climb trees, are ranged at the side of Porcupines. 



Tiibe of Hates. 



61. The Rodentia of which this tribe is composed, differ from 

 other animals of the same order by the arrangement of their 

 incisor teeth, which are double, each one of them having a smaller 

 one behind it. They have five toes before and four behind, and 

 the soles of their feet, as well as the outside of their mouth, are 

 furnished with hairs like the rest of the body. 



62. The HARES PROPER, Lepus, are recognised by their long 

 ears, their short tail, and the length of their hind feet. They are 

 nocturnal animals, and of all their senses, that of hearing appears 

 to be the most perfect ; they are extremely timid, and fly from the 

 slightest danger. Their walk consists in a succession of leaps, and 

 their run only differs in rapidity. They inhabit woods, copses, rocks, 

 and sometimes plains, and feed on vegetable substances which 

 modify the taste of their flesh, according as these may be more 

 or less aromatic ; it is known indeed, that such is the cause of the 

 difference between the taste of the wild and domestic hare. 

 Some provide for their individual security, and that of their young, 

 by excavating deep holes, or by inhabiting rents and hollows in 

 rocks, while others content themselves with a furrow, a stump, a 

 copse, or the trunk of a hollow tree. 



63. The Common flare, Lepus Timidus, is recognised by 

 a yellowish gray coat, having ears a tenth longer than its head, 

 tipped with black, and the tail white, with a black line above, and 

 of the length of its thigh. It Jives alone and cannot be domesti- 

 cated ; it differs from the rabbit in not digging a burrow, but is 

 contented with a hole, the situation of which it changes accord- 

 ing to the season. 



64. The Rabbit, Lepus Cimiciilns, is smaller than the hare, 

 and has ears shorter than the head and without the black tip ; 

 its tail is also shorter than the thigh, and brown above. It appears 

 to be originally from Spain, but now abounds throughout Europe. 

 It lives in troops and burrows in dry soils. It accustoms itself 

 to the domestic condition, and in time assumes very various 

 colours. 



60. Are there any other gnawers related to the tribe of Porcupines ? 



61. How do animals of the tribe of Hares differ from other Rodentia ? 



62. How are Hares proper recognised? What are their habits? 



63. How is the common Hare recognised ? 



64. What is the Rabbit? 



