CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 1. RODENTIA. 



347 



Bachman's Hare, L. Bachmanii, though smaller than the gray rabbit, greatly resembles it, 

 and has often been deemed as of the same species. It is grayish-brown on the sides, brown 

 above, and reddish-white beneath. The length is ten inches ; it is found in Texas, New Mexico, 

 and California ; probably also in Mexico. 



The Californian Hare, L. Californicus, is long and slender ; the ears and tail long ; the color 

 above rufous brown, beneath yellowish-white. The length is twenty-two inches. In general it 

 may be remarked that this hare, while partaking of the character of its family, is noted for its 

 fleetness and timidity. It is found in California and the southern part of Oregon. 



The Texan Hare, L. Texianus, is of large size, and, on account of its large ears, received 

 from our troops in the Mexican war the descriptive title of Jackass Rabbit. Its color is reddish- 

 brown above, and white beneath ; the length twenty-one inches. It is swift of foot, and its flesh 

 excellent. It is found in Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. 



There are several kinds of South American hares, but the only one of which we have definite 

 accounts is the Tapeti, L. Brasiliensis, noted for its short tail, small ears, and small size. It seems 

 to partake of the qualities both of the hare and rabbit. It is found in Brazil and the adjacent 

 countries. 



'"lW5<, v 



RAUBIT. 



The Rabbit : Cuniculus. — This belongs to the same family as the hare, and is by most nat- 

 uralists considered as of the same genus. It has, however, many traits which distinguish it from 

 the hare. Two prominent varieties of rabbits are known to all our readers, although no rabbit 

 is indigenous to our continent, and it may be remarked that no species of indigenous American 

 leporidae has ever been reduced to domesticity. But the Domestic Rabbit of Europe, L. domes- 

 ticus, introduced into this country by the early European settlers, is now common among us ; 

 while the Common Wild Rabbit of Europe, L. cuniculus, supposed to be the origin of the 

 domestic variety, has been so often described as to make us familiar with it. 



The differences between this animal and the hare are numerous and striking. In a state of 

 nature, the rabbit is considerably less than the hare ; the ears are shorter than the head ; the 

 tail is not so long as the thigh ; and the whole action and motion of the animal are less vigorous 

 ind fleet than those of the hare. The general color in a state of nature is yellowish-gray; red- 

 fiifih on the neck and brown on the tail, with the throat and belly whitish. .The ears are gray, 

 md without any black on the tips. The rabbit is a native of warmer climates than the hare ; and 

 t is altogether an animal of different habits. The hare inhabits only where there is cover, at 

 ,east to some extent, while the rabbit is met with in the open and sandy wastes. The hares 

 •lever burrow in the ground, but the rabbits always do ; and they live in solitude, while the 



