CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 7. RODENTIA. 341 



which might be adduced, of that system of compensations, that balancing of perfections and de- 

 fects, that equalizing of the quantity of life and destruction, on which the continued existence of 

 the respective tribes of animals depends. On the one hand, if the hare is exposed to the attacks 

 of beasts of prey, on the other it is abundantly fruitful; and, if often pursued, it is also furnished 

 with various sources of evasion and escape. Its ears are so contrived as to convey even remote 

 sounds from behind; and the eyes, as already mentioned of the class generally, are so situated as 

 to enable it, when it rests on its seat, to observe without difficulty, and even without much motion 

 of the head, a whole circle; and, though it sees but imperfectly in a straight line forward, it can 

 direct its vision to whatever threatens it in the way of pursuit, and the eyes are never entirely 

 closed while the animal sleeps. From the powerful muscularity of its limbs, it can sustain the fleet- 

 ness of its course for a considerable time, while the greater length of the hinder legs gives it 

 such a decided advantage in ascending, that, when started, it always makes to the rising ground. 



Its habitual timidity, and perpetual apprehension of danger, preserve it lean, and in a condition 

 the best adapted to profit by that speed which forms its security. In dry or frosty weather, the 

 thick hairy covering to its feet also gives it an advantage over the dog which pursues it, and its 

 close approach in color to the soil often conceals it from the sight of man and predacious animals. 

 As if conscious of its resemblance to the earth on which it treads, it has frequently been known, 

 when closely pursued by the hounds, to squat immediately behind a clod, and suffer the dogs to 

 run over it, which they no sooner do than it instantly starts off in a contrary direction, and thus 

 deceives and eludes them. As it possesses the sense of smell in a pre-eminent degree, it is often 

 aware of the presence of an enemy before it can ascertain its danger by sight. The doublings 

 of its course are familiar to every sportsman ; and though its sagacity seems to be in some re- 

 spects at fault, especially in exhausting its strength in the early part of the chase, and in returning 

 to its resting-place bv the same paths, it has been frequently observed to have recourse to strata- 

 gems, which in the human being would bespeak not only presence of mind, but a prompt and 

 practical application of the reasoning principle. 



If undisturbed, the multiplication of hares would prove greater than that of most quadrupeds; 

 for at all seasons they are capable of breeding, and from the first year of their existence, while 

 the term of gestation does not exceed thirty-one days, there being from two to five at a birth. 

 These are born well covered with hair, and with their eyes open. The hunters allege that when 

 the produce consists of more than one, each leveret is marked with a star-like appearance on the 

 forehead, which usually disappears with the first shedding of the coat, but sometimes continues to 

 a more advanced period. Sir Thomas Brown, in his "Treatise on Vulgar Errors," asserts, from 

 his own observation, that female hares frequently have in their ovaries, at the same time, young 

 ones of different ages, and that after those which are mature are brought forth, others remain 

 which are very far from the term of their exclusion. This phenomenon of superfcetation in the 

 hare is confirmed by Buffon, who has explained it upon anatomical principles. However, the ob- 

 servation is at least as old as Herodotus. 



The breeding-place is usually under a tuft of grass, or high brake, a bush of heath, brushwood, 

 M standing corn. The young are suckled by the dam for about two weeks, after which they sep- 

 arate, and procure their own food, making their forms at sixty or seventy paces from each other; 

 bo that, when we meet with one young hare, we may be pretty certain of finding more within a 

 very short distance. The hare arrives at maturity in one year, and is supposed to live eight or 

 nine years; but it is presumed that a small number, comparatively, are allowed to die of old age, 

 tor dogs of all kinds pursue them by instinct; the cat and the weasel tribes are constantly lying in 

 ambush, and practicing their wary arts to seize them ; while birds of prey are still more formi- 

 dable enemies, as against them no swiftness can avail, no retreat afford security; and lastly,- man, 

 more powerful than all, sacrifices great numbers for his pastime or his subsistence. 



That the hare is, occasionally at least, an accomplished and bold swimrnej', is manifest from the 

 following account, related by Mr. Yarrell in Loudon's Magazine: "A harbor of great extent on 

 our southern coast has an island near the middle of considerable size, the nearest point of which 

 ,is a mile distant from the mainland at high water, and with which point there is frequent com- 

 munication by a ferry. Early one morning in spring, two hares were observed to come down 



