IN THE FAR WEST. 371 



in some places the swamp and the water rabbit. The latter 

 is the more appropriate name, for it is almost amphibious in 

 its habits ; and is remarkable for the size of its head, compared 

 to its body, and the shortness of its ears. The head is very 

 large ; the ears are scarcely half the length of the head ; the 

 hind feet, which are shorter than the head, are pointed, and 

 the claws are uncovered. The tail is about the same length 

 as the ears ; the hind-feet look slender, owing to the depth of 

 the pads, and they are pointed at the toes instead of being 

 blunt. The shortness of the ears and the size of the head 

 give it a peculiar appearance, especially as the former art- 

 broad and round at the apex, and are heavily covered with 

 long hairs. The colour above is a yellowish-brown, closely 

 lined with black; the sides are grayer; the tail and legs are 

 a rusty brown ; the tail beneath and the abdomen are very 

 white ; and a black spot is found on the forehead. The fur is 

 coarse, bristly, and harsh, and is of little use in commerce. 



This creature is found principally in the South-western 

 States, and is one of their most peculiar fauna. It is rarely 

 seen on high grounds or prairies, but is always found near 

 streams or lakes. It takes to the water as readily as a 

 retriever, and may often be seen swimming about in search of 

 the water-plants which it loves. When startled by men or 

 dogs it goes for the water at once, and generally escapes, as 

 its scent is lost immediately. It is not considered edible by 

 hunters, as it is very often attacked by a red bug which pro- 

 duces sores, and these soon breed maggots that fairly eat it 

 up alive. 



The male attains a length of twenty inches ; the tail is nearly 

 three inches long ; and the hind feet are from three to over 

 four inches in length. 



The next species allied to this is the true swamp hare (L. 

 jiftlusfrift], whose head and incisors are disproportionately large. 

 The ears are not more than two-thirds the length of the head : 

 the hind feet are shorter than the head; the toes are pointed, 

 and the nails are visible. This, also, is one of the most peculiar 

 of American hares, owing to its short and thinly-furred feet, 

 its wide head, and small, weak legs, especially the hinder. The 



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