RODENTIA. 137 
L. variabilis, Pall., Schreb. CCXXXV, B. (The Variable 
Hare), Somewhat larger than the Common Hare, with rather 
shorter ears and tail, the latter white at all seasons; the rest of the 
fur is grey in summer, and white in winter. This animal, which is 
found in the north, and on the high mountains of the south of 
Europe, has the habits of the common Hare, but its flesh is insipid. 
L. cuniculus, L.; Buff. VI, 1. (The Rabbit). Less than the 
Hare; the ears somewhat shorter than the head; tail not so long as 
the thigh; fur of a yellowish grey; some red on the neck; throat 
and belly whitish; ears grey, without any black; some brown on 
the tail. This animal, said to be originally from Spain, is now 
spread throughout Europe. It lives in troops, in burrows, where it 
takes refuge as soon as it is pursued. Its flesh, which is white and 
agreeable, differs considerably from that of the Hare. In a domestic 
state the Rabbit multiplies prodigiously, and varies as to colour and 
fur. 
Other countries furnish several species which can only be distin- 
guished from that of Europe by the closest attention. Such are the 
L. tolai, Gm., Schreb. CCXXXIV. The Siberian Rabbit). 
Which is intermediate between the Hare and Rabbit as to propor- 
tions, and which occasionally surpasses the former in size. It 
makes no burrows, but seeks shelter in the clefts of rocks or other 
cavities. 
L. Americanus and Braziliensis, Gm.; Lepus nanus, Schreb. 
CCXXXIV, B. (The American Rabbit). Nearly similar in size 
and colour to the European species; feet reddish; no black on either 
ears or tail. Nestles in the trunks of trees, and frequently goes up 
in their hollows as far as their branches; its flesh soft and insipid.* 
L. capensis, Gm; Geoff., Quadr. d’Egypte. (The African Hare.) 
Has ears a fifth longer than the head; size and colour nearly those 
of the European species; the feet, however, are a little longer and 
somewhat reddish. It appears to be found from one extremity of 
Africa to the other; at least the one from Egypt does not differ 
from that of the Cape. 
Lacomys, Cuv.+ 
Have moderate ears; legs nearly alike; the infra-orbital hole simple; 
clavicles nearly perfect, and no tail; they often utter a very acute cry. 
They have hitherto been found in Siberia only, and it is Pallas (Glir. p, 1 
et seq.) who has described them. 
Lepus pusillus, Pall. Glir. I, Schreb. cexxxvii. (The Dwarf 
Lagomys). Of a greyish-brown; the size of a Water-Rat. Lives 
in small burrows, in fertile countries, on fruit and buds. 
* Add the Black-necked Rabbit of India, &c. 
+ Lagomys, i. e. Rat-Hare. } 
+ Pallas describes another still smaller species from the north-eastern extremity 
of Asia, Lepus hyperboreus, Zoog. Russ. 1, 152. 
