HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 369 



--.isiinni.* 



THE HARE. 



(Lcpus timid US) Linn. Lc Licvre, Buff.) 



THIS harmless and inoffensive animal, destitute 

 of every means of defence, and surrounded on all 

 sides by its enemies, would soon be utterly extir- 

 pated, if Nature, ever kind and provident, had not 

 endowed it with faculties, by which it is frequently 

 enabled to elude their pursuit. 



Fearful of every danger, and attentive to every 

 alarm, the Hare is continually upon the watch; 

 and being provided with very long ears, moveable 

 at pleasure, and easily directed to every quarter, is 

 warned of the most distant approaches of danger. 

 Its eyes are large and prominent, adapted to re- 

 ceive the rays of light on every side, and give 

 notice of more immediate alarms. To these may 

 be added its great swiftness, by which it soon 

 leaves most of its pursuers far behind. The hind 

 are much longer than the fore legs, and are fur- 

 nished with strong muscles, which give the Hare a 



VOL. III. 3 A 



