274 flODENTIA. 



tucles. The Hare has been introduced mto New 

 Zealand, but, as was to be expected, the fur has become 

 very poor on account of the mild climate. The skin of 

 the Brown Hare fetches from 3d. to 5d. The supply in 

 England and Scotland is considerable, the latter produc- 

 ing the finest skins, but flesh of less flavour and value. 



In the winter of 1885-6 as many as 2,373,499 Hares 

 were killed in Eussia. 



The Brown Hare has been known to cross with the 

 Blue or varving Hare in Scotland. 



POLAR OR WHITE HARE. 



Lepus (jkicialis. 



The Polar Hare can only be regarded as the same 

 species as the ordinary European Hare. 



This animal is larger than the Brown Hare, being 

 usually about 26 inches long, and sometimes as much 

 as 29 inches. The skins of the latter are called Kopfe 

 and Oberkopfe, and are all furnished with a leather 

 stamp. The ears are tipped with black, and the 

 whiskers are white. The tail is short, and pure white. 

 The legs are very thin near the junction to the body, 

 and are covered with long bristly hairs, with very little 

 fur. The feet are well padded with very thick fur to 

 protect them from the snow. This Hare has six to eight 

 teats. Like the foregoing variety, it is very good eating, 

 and changes its coat in winter. 



The Polar Hare inhabits Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia, 

 and Labrador, and a few other districts, such as Fort 

 York. It varies considerably in character and numbers 

 in these diflerent localities, the Scandinavian being 

 extremely fine and white, and the Labrador, which are 



