THE MARK. 157 



the fur of the back of a grey colour, inclining to 

 black, and in point of size is larger than the male. 



There is also considerable difference in the feet. 

 In the male, the feet are small and pointed, and the 

 nails short ; whereas, in the female, they are much 

 larger and more spread : the nails also are much 

 longer. The buttons* of the male are shorter and 

 smaller than those of the female ; and the scut^- also 

 is smaller. 



Two species of hares may be distinguished ; those 

 of the wood, and those of the plain. The hares of the 

 wood are in general much larger than those of the 

 open ground : the fur is not of so dark a colour, and 

 they are better covered with it; they are also swifter 

 in the chase, and their flesh has a better flavour. 

 Among the hares of the plain, those may be distin- 

 guished which inhabit the marshes : they are not so 

 swift of foot, are less covered with fur, and their flesh 

 is not so fine and delicate. 



A young hare, that has attained the full growth, 

 may be known from an old one by feeling the knee 

 joints of the fore legs with the thumb nail. When 

 the heads of the two bones, which form the joints, 

 are so close, that little or no space is to be perceived 

 between them, the hare is old. If, on the contrary, 

 there is a perceptible separation, the hare is young ; 

 and is more or less so, in proportion to the separation 



* The dung. f The tail. 



