346 VERTEBRATA. 



barer. Captain Rosa Bays, "There is scarcely a spot, in the Arctic regions — the most destitute 

 and stnilc that can be conceived — where this animal is not to be found, and that, too, through- 

 out the winter; nor does it seek to shelter itself from the inclemency of the weather, by bur- 

 rowing in the snow, but is generally found sitting solitary under the lid of a large, stone, where 

 the snow-drift, as it passes along, seems in some measure to afford a protection from the bitter- 

 oess of the blast that impels it, by collecting around and half burying the animal beneath it." 



It i> interesting to find that nature has so provided for this remarkable animal, that it finds a 

 happy existence in regions abandoned to desolation by almost every other living thing. Its coat 

 of fur is so thick as to repel the rain and exclude the cold; its eye is adapted to the dim 

 twilighl thai reigns in the Arctic circle for a long portion of the year, and if offended by the 

 glare of the sun at other seasons, it finds shelter in the shade of the dwarf trees and shrubs 

 that abound. In summer its skin is nearly the color of the earth, and in winter it is white as 

 the snow ; and it is curious to observe that, while the summer is short and the winter long, so 

 these changes are adjusted to the length of the seasons. The Northern Hare begins to turn 

 white in November, and the Polar hare in September; the former resumes its brown tint in April, 

 and the latter in June, h' these adaptations are designed to protect these animals from their 

 enemies, by rendering them Less liable to observation, as no doubt they arc, how interesting 

 is this provision which screens the Polar hare from the searching gaze of the golden eagle and the 

 snowy owl — its chief destroyers — by keeping its skin brown just so long as the earth is brown, 

 and changing it to white as the earth itself becomes white. And this adaptation, which reaches 

 •vcn the timid, defenseless crouching hare, proceeds from a law as extensive as the universe! 



The Marsh 11 are, L. palustris, is somewhat smaller than the gray rabbit, the upper surface 

 being of a yellowish brown color in summer, and growing darker in winter; beneath it is a light 

 gray : length thirteen inches. It is slower of foot than other hares, and is protected chiefly by 

 the miry and tangled nature of its haunts. It is confined to the maritime portions of the Southern 

 States, and lives chiefly in marshy lands bordering on rivers and ponds, being quite numerous in 

 some localities. It appears never to visit the plantations, nor to dwell in the uplands. It winds 

 with facility among the rank grasses and overgrown shrubbery of the swamps, and not unfrequently 

 takes t<> the water and amuses itself by gambols in that (dement. Its nest is made of rushes, 

 lined with hair, and is often near the surface of the water, sometimes almost floating upon it. 

 The young are from five to seven at a birth. 



The Swamp Hare, L. aquatints, is of the size of the northern hare, being about twenty inches 

 long, and weighing seven to ten pounds. The general color is dark grayish-brown above, and 

 white beneath. It is found in the Southwestern States. It frequents marshy or wet places, in 

 the vicinity of rivers and ponds, though occasionally seen in the high grounds. It swims with 



lity, and when pursued, often escapes by taking to the water. The nests are formed of lea 

 and grasses, placed on mounds in the swamps. The breeding takes place twdce in a season, 

 and from four to six young ones are produced at a litter. 



The Rocky Mountain Hare, L. Townscndii, is somewhat larger than the preceding, the color 

 being light gray above and white beneath. It measures about twenty-two inches, and weighs 

 six to eight pounds. The form is slender and the speed great. It is found on both sides of the 

 Rocky Mountains. It docs not change its color in winter. 



The Black-tailed Hare, L. callotis, L. nigricaudatus of Bennett, resembles the preceding in 

 its long ears, long legs, and long body, as well as in its speed, which is great. The tail is long 

 and black; color yellowish-brown, mottled with gray above and white beneath. Its length is 

 twenty inches. It is common in Mexico and the neighboring countries. 



The Wormwood Hake, L. Artemisia, is a small species, even smaller than the gray rabbit, tin 

 ears being very long and conspicuous; the color a reddish-gray above and white below. Its 

 length is twelve inches: it is found in the vicinity of Fort Walla- Walla, Washington Territory, 

 and derives its name from frequenting the wormwood shrubberies which abound in that region. 



Ni ttall's Hare, L. Nuttalii, is of a dark brown, mixed with light buff above and yellowish 

 gray beneath, and is but six or seven inches long. It is found in Oregon Territory, inhabiting the, 

 thickets along streams that flow into the Columbia and Shoshonec rivers. 



