MAMMALIA—AMERICAN HARE. 259 
opposite sides of the hollow, ascending somewhat in the same manner that 
a sweep climbs a chimney. 
The hare is not hunted in this country as in Europe, but is generally 
roused by a dog, and shot, or is caught in various traps and snares. In its 
movements our hare closely resembles the common hare of Europe, bound- 
ing along with great celerity, and would no doubt, when pursued, resort to 
the artifices of doubling, &c., so well known to be used by the European 
animal. The American hare breeds several times during the year, and in 
the Southern States even during the winter months, having from two to 
four or six at a litter. 
In general, the hare is not devoid of the instinct necessary for its pre- 
servation, nor of sagacity sufficient to éffect an escape from its enemies. It 
prepares for itself a form ; and in winter, it chooses a spot which is exposed 
to the south, as in summer it does one which is situated to the north. It 
hides itself from view among hillocks of earth which are of the same color 
as its hair. ‘I have seen,” says Du Fouilloux, “a hare so cunning, that, 
as soon as it heard the huntsman’s horn, it started from its form, and, 
though at the distance of a quarter of a league from it, leaped to a pond, and 
there hid itself among the rushes, andthus escaped the pursuit of the dogs. 
J have seen a hare, which, after having run above two hours before the 
Jogs, has dislodged another hare, and taken possession of its form. I have 
seen others swim over three ponds, of which the smallest was not less than 
eighty paces broad. I have seen others, which, after having been warmly 
chased for two hours, have entered a sheepcote, through the little opening 
under the door, and remained among the cattle. I have seen others, which, 
when the dogs have chased them, joined a flock of sheep in the field, and, 
in like manner, remained with them. I have seen others, which, when 
they heard the dogs, have concealed themselves in the earth. I have seen 
others, which have gone along one side of a hedge, and returned by the 
other ; so that there was only the thickness of the hedge between the dogs 
and the hare. I have seen others, which, after they had been chased for 
half an hour, have mounted an old wall of six feet high, and taken refuge in 
a hole covered with ivy.” 
The nature of the soil has a great influence on these, as well as on all 
other animals; the hares of the mountains are larger and fatter than those 
of the plains, and are also of a different color; the former being browner on 
the body, and whiter about the neck than the latter, which are more inclined 
tored. On high mountains, and in the northern countries, they become 
white in the winter, and in summer recover their ordinary color. 
