THE HARE. 



38' 



The color of the Guinea Pig is very variable ; but is generally composed of white, 

 red, and black, in patches of different size and shape in each individual. The bare por- 

 tions of the skin are flesh-colored, and the eye is brown. The animal is of little direct 

 use to mankind, as its flesh is held in very low estimation, and its hair is so slightly 

 attached to the skin that its coat is useless to the furrier. There was formerly a prev- 

 alent idea that rats had an especial antipathy to the Guinea Pig, and would not haunt 

 any place where one of these animals was kept. Rabbit owners were therefore in the 

 habit of placing a Guinea Pig in the same apartment with the hutches, in hopes of 

 scaring away the rats, which are the chief enemies of tame rabbits. As, however, in 

 several instances the Guinea Pigs were eaten by the rats instead of driving them from 

 the premises, the custom has gradually fallen into deserved disrepute. 



THE group of animals which is known by the name of Leporidae, from the Latin word, 

 lepusy a hare, is easily distinguishable from the other rodents by the peculiar dentition 



GUINEA PIQ.-Cav/a Aperea. 



of the upper jaw. Usually there are only two incisor teeth in that jaw ; but in the 

 Leporidae there are four incisors, a pair of smaller teeth being placed immediately be- 

 hind the usual upper incisors. 



The common HARE is known from the rabbit by the redder hue of its fur, the great 

 proportionate length of its black-tipped ears, which are nearly an inch longer than the 

 head ; by its very long hind legs, and its large and prominent eyes. When full-grown it 

 is of considerable size, weighing on the average about eight or nine pounds, and some- 

 times attaining the weight of twelve or even thirteen pounds. In total length it rather ex- 

 ceeds two feet, the tail being about three inches long. The color of the common Hare 

 is grayish-brown on the upper portions of the body, mixed with a dash of yellow ; the 

 abdomen is white, and the neck and breast are yellowish-white. The tail is black on 

 the upper surface and white underneath, so that when the creature runs it exhibits the 

 white tail at every leap. Sometimes the color of the Hare deepens into black, and 

 there are many examples of albino specimens of this animal. 



It is popularly supposed to be a timid animal, and has therefore received the specific 

 title of " timidus ; " but it is really possessed of no small share of courage. According 

 to a well-known English writer not a sportsman we malign the poor creature by 



