192 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



situations. The habits of this new variety I now made a 

 study, and found that they were amphibious, sleeping in 

 forms on the edge of the morass during the heat of the 

 day, and feeding before sunrise and after sunset on the dif- 

 ferent descriptions of water-plants. Whether this hare 

 was able to dive or not I did not ascertain, but that he is 

 a most expert swimmer there can be no doubt. His size 

 is the same as that of our common wild rabbit, but from 

 his build being thicker, he may possibly be heavier. His 

 legs are short, feet large, ears small, and head very full and 

 round; color dark grayish-brown, with scarcely any white 

 upon the scut, and the fur exceedingly soft and fine. I fre- 

 quently tested his qualities on the table, and can speak in 

 the highest approval of the delicacy and delicious flavor of 

 his flesh, which is much lighter in shade than that of any 

 other of the same family with which I am acquainted. The 

 skin, remarkable for its thinness, is easily removed from the 

 carcass ; but great care must be taken to prevent it get- 

 ting torn. On inquiring, I found that this hare was well 

 known by the residents, and from them learned that it bred 

 once a year, generally producing two at a birth ; and that 

 the young at a very early age follow their mother In her 

 sundry aquatic excursions in search of those delicate water- 

 plants that form their staple food. 



