THE AMERICAN HARE. 343 



The hare is peculiarly adapted for speed, not only on account 

 of the general muscularity of its body, but also from the peculiar 

 construction of its hind-limbs, which, being so very long, assist the 

 animal greatly in going up-hill, in fact, gives it considerable ad- 

 vantage over the pursuer, and of which, from cunning, or, more 

 properly, instinct, it avails itself by taking to rising ground as soon 

 as come upon. The hare is always in good running condition at 

 that season of the year when it is most likely to be pursued by 

 dogs or other less dangerous foes ; this circumstance also we may 

 regard as a peculiar provision of nature, for if the timid little 

 creature were permitted to repose in ease and silence, entirely free 

 from apprehension of danger except at the moment when really 

 attacked, the body would soon become overloaded with fat, which 

 would necessarily prevent it from taking advantage of that fleet- 

 ness which, when in condition, insures its safety. 



The American hare has considerable speed, and can run for a 

 short time without giving out; the hairy covering of its feet gives 

 it a decided advantage over the dog in a race, during dry or frosty 

 weather. When hotly pursued, hares most frequently take to 

 holes, hollowed trunks of trees, or secrete themselves under brush- 

 heaps, old logs, or piles of stone. When first roused, the hare 

 dashes off in good style, and at a speed that soon leaves its pur- 

 suers far in the wake ; but, unfortunately, for want of sagacity, 

 puss exhausts her strength long before the scent grows cold or 

 the hounds begin to tire, and, if it were not for their taking to 

 holes, piles of logs or brush, they would soon fall victims to almost 

 any cur that has the bottom and perseverance to follow in their trail. 



The construction and position of the eyes in the head are such 

 as to enable the hare to encompass nearly a whole circle in its 

 glance, with scarcely any motion of the head; the eyelids are 

 never completely closed, not even in sleep. The ears also are so 

 contrived as to collect the slightest sound arising in any quarter. 

 With such endowments, it is seldom that a hare is come upon un- 

 awares, although he may spring up from beneath our very feet, or 

 from before the nose of our dogs ; he was well apprized however, of 



