39.2 HISTOKV OF 



fond of new milk ; but, in case of necessity, are content with 

 water. 



Tiiey move pretty much in the manner of rabbits, though not 

 near so swiftly ; and when confined in a room, seldom cross the 

 ■floor, but generally keep along the wall. The male usually drives 

 the female on before him, for they never move abreast together, 

 Dut constantly the one seems to tread in the footsteps of the pre- 

 ceding. They chiefly seek for the darkest recesses, and the 

 most intricate retreats ; where, if hay be spread as a bed for 

 them, they continue to sleep together, and seldom venture ou: 

 but when they suppose all interruption removed. On these oc- 

 casions they act as rabbits ; they swiftly move forward from 

 their bed, stop at the entrance, listen, look round, and, if they 

 perceive the slightest approach of danger, they run back with 

 precipitation. In very cold weather, however, they are more 

 active, and run about in order to keep themselves warm. 



They are a very cleanly animal, and very different from that 

 whose name they go by. If the young ones happen to fall into 

 the dirt, or be any other way discomposed, the female takes such 

 an aversion to them, that she never permits them to visit her 

 more. Indeed, her whole employment, as well as that of the 

 male, seems to consist in smoothing their skins, in disposing 

 their hair, and improving its gloss. The male and female take this 

 office by turns ; and when they have thus brushed up each other, 

 they then bestow all their concern on their young, taking parti- 

 cular care to make their hair lie smooth, and biting them if they 

 appear refractory. As they are so solicitous for elegance them, 

 selves, the place where they are kept must be regularly cleaned, 

 and a new bed of hay provided for them at least every week 

 Being natives of a warm climate, they are naturally chilly in ours ; 

 cleanliness, therefore, assists warmth and expels moisture. They 

 may be thus reared, without the aid of any artificial heat ; but, 

 in general, there is no keeping them from the fire in winter, if 

 they be once permitted to approach it. 



When they go to sleep, they lie fiat on their bellies, pretty 

 much in their usual posture ; except that they love to have their 

 fore-feet higher than their hinder. For this purpose they turn 

 themselves several times round before they lie down, to find 

 the most convenient situation. They sleep like the hare, with 

 their eyes half open ; and continue extremely watchful, if thcj 



