192 



RODENTS. 



Hares and Eabbits. 



Family LEPOEID^. 



The hares and rabbits, all of which are included in the single genus Lepus, 

 constitute a family distinguished from the picas by their elongated hind-limbs, 

 short recurved tail, long ears, and imperfect collar-bones. The skull is distinguished 

 by the extremely narrow frontal region, and the presence of large wingdike 

 (postorbital) processes defining the hinder border of the eye-sockets; while there 

 are three pairs of premolars in the upper, and two in the lower jaw. the total 



HARE IX ITS FORM. 



number of cheek-teeth thus being £ on each side of the jaws. The eyes are large 

 and full, and devoid of eyelids. 



In all the species the fore-limbs are furnished with five, and the hinder pair 

 with four toes each; the soles of tin- feet being as densely clothed with hair as are 

 the legs. The inner sides of the cheeks are also lined with hair. The females 

 have teats both on the breast and on the belly. 



With the exception of one remarkable Indian species, noticed in the sequel, all 

 the members of the family are very much alike in appearance and coloration ; the 

 usual tint of the fur on the upper-parts being a mixture of grey and reddish brown, 

 although in some cases the red, ami in others the grey tends to predominate 

 This coloration harmonises well with the general tint of the open country on which 

 most of the species dwell. A noteworthy feature (which, however, is absent in the 

 above-mentioned Indian species), is the pure white of the under-surface of the up- 

 turned tail. This, in the case of the rabbit at least, is considered by Mr. Wallace 

 as serving the purpose of a guiding signal to other individuals in the presence of 

 danger, so that when the leader of a flock is in full retreat towards its hole, the 

 remainder at once see in which direction to follow. 



